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Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

U 116 min  -  Crime | Drama | Mystery  -   6 February 1958 (USA)
8.4
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Ratings: 8.4/10 from 26,081 users  
Reviews: 149 user | 48 critic

Agatha Christie tale of a man on trial for murder: a trial featuring surprise after surprise.

Director:

Billy Wilder

Writers:

Agatha Christie (play), Billy Wilder (screen play), and 3 more credits »
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Top 250 #118 | Nominated for 6 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 8 nominations See more awards »
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Cast

Complete credited cast:
Tyrone Power ...
Marlene Dietrich ...
Charles Laughton ...
Elsa Lanchester ...
John Williams John Williams ...
Henry Daniell Henry Daniell ...
Ian Wolfe Ian Wolfe ...
Torin Thatcher Torin Thatcher ...
Norma Varden Norma Varden ...
Una O'Connor Una O'Connor ...
Janet
Francis Compton Francis Compton ...
Philip Tonge Philip Tonge ...
Ruta Lee ...
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Storyline

When Leonard Vole is arrested for the sensational murder of a rich, middle-aged widow, the famous Sir Wilfrid Robarts agrees to appear on his behalf. Sir Wilfrid, recovering from a near-fatal heart attack, is *supposed* to be on a diet of bland, civil suits. But the lure of the criminal courts is too much for him, especially when the case is so difficult: Vole's only alibi witness is his wife, the calm and coldly calculating Christine Vole. Sir Wilfrid's task becomes even more impossible when Christine agrees to be a witness not for the defence but for the prosecution. Written by A.L.Beneteau <albl@inforamp.net>  

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Trial | Alibi | Widow | Lawyer  | See more »

Taglines:

Once in 50 years suspense like this! See more »

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English | German

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Testigo de cargo See more »

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$9,000,000 (Worldwide) (January 1960)
See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Edward Small Productions See more »
Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

 | Australia:

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

[June 2008] Ranked #6 on the American Film Institute's list of the 10 greatest films in the genre "Courtroom Drama". See more »

Goofs

Continuity: When Sir Wilfred is in court arranging his pills on the table, they change in number and orientation from scene to scene. See more »

Quotes

[Miss Plimsoll discovers cigars hidden in Sir Wilfrid's cane]
Sir Wilfrid: You could be jailed for that. You had no search warrant for my cane!
See more »

Crazy Credits

As the end credits appear on screen, an announcer's voice is heard: "The management of this theater suggests that for the greater entertainment of your friends who have not yet seen the picture you will not divulge to anyone the secret of the ending of Witness for the Prosecution." See more »

Connections

Spoofed in "Get Smart: Witness for the Persecution (#3.3)" (1967) See more »

Soundtracks

"I May Never Go Home Anymore"
(1957)
Music by Ralph Arthur Roberts
Lyrics by Jack Brooks
Sung by Marlene Dietrich (uncredited)
Reprised a cappella by Tyrone Power See more »