12 Angry Men (1957)

A Puerto Rican youth is on trial for murder, accused of knifing his father to death. The twelve jurors retire to the jury room, having been admonished that the defendant is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Eleven of the jurors vote for conviction, each for reasons of his own. The sole holdout is Juror #8, played by Henry Fonda. Upon its original release in 1957, 12 Angry Men was showered with critical acclaim, although its box-office takings were disappointing at the time. The film was nominated for three Oscars, including Best Picture. In the decades that followed, director Sidney Lumet’s masterpiece grew to become an absolute cinematic classic. The film is acclaimed worldwide for its outstanding performances, its claustrophobic cinematography and its timeless message about prejudice, justice and the power of a single dissenting voice. (1957 · Sidney Lumet · 95 min) Screening at De Uitkijk.