Directed by sidney lumet, the film tells the story of a jury made up of 12 men as they deliberate. Mamet is also the author of writing in restaurants and on directing film, both available from penguin. Oscars best picture winners best picture winners golden globes emmys san diego comiccon new york comiccon sundance film festival toronto intl film festival awards central festival central all events. Juror number two a meek, hesitant man who finds it difficult to maintain any opinions of his o. In 2014, chinese film director xu ang remade it as 12 citizens. The difference between the movie and book versions of 12. The anchors among the supplements are two teleplays made by rose and lumet during the 1950s. It begins with a list of characters, but on television you would not have the benefit of that list although, of course, you would be able to tell something about each character from. The accused is an eighteen yearold kid whos been charged with murdering his dad, and all of the jurors seem pretty convinced that he did it. The most glaring example is lumets use of the dissolve early in the film, specifically the instance where the image. The teleplay tragedy in a temporary town features another mob of men, but this one isnt brought together by the legal system. I will say, the performances from all involved are powerful yet measured and each character has their own personality that is built in very little screen time, something that eludes modern film makers.
Reginald rose 19202002 won three emmy awards for television writing as well as an oscar for the movie adaptation of twelve angry men. Reginald roses play 12 angry men takes place in a room where 12 male jurors have convened to decide the verdict in a homicide case. Quite the contrary, the jury in the film erred badly by acquitting the. Sidney lumets 12 angry men makes its surprising debut on bluray through the criterion collection, presented in its original aspect ratio of 1. Harboring just as much compulsive energy and momentum as most modern hollywood action films, 12 angry men makes every shot and line of dialogue count. A behindcloseddoors look at the american legal system that is as riveting as it is spare, this iconic adaptation of reginald rose s teleplay stars henry fonda as the dissenting member on a jury of white men ready to pass judgment on. David mamets glengarry glen ross won the pulitzer prize for drama in 1984.
Watching franklin schaffners 1955 television version of 12 angry men, also included on criterions bluray disc with an introduction by curator ron simon, reveals the importance of small tweaks made by lumet that ultimately make his version specifically cinematic. Shop 12 angry men criterion collection bluray 1957 at best buy. The featurefilm directorial debut of sidney lumet, 12 angry men derives its dramatic strength not only from his economic, incisive handling of a powerhouse cast, but also from roses sharply limned character studies. It was shown at the 2014 rome film festival on october 19, 2014 and was released in china on may 15, 2015. I wont spoil it because it will be treat for those who have not yet seen it. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include previous owner inscriptions. If the defendant is found guilty, he stands to receive the death penalty. Were running out of ways to praise criterions typically excellent bluray releases. Shop for 12 angry men the criterion collection from whsmith.
The play centers on juror eight, who is at first the sole holdout. A landmark american drama that inspired a classic film and a broadway revivalfeaturing an introduction by david mamet a blistering character study and an examination of the american melting pot and the judicial system that keeps it in check, twelve angry men holds at its core a deeply patriotic faith in the u. A behindcloseddoors look at the american legal system as riveting as it is spare, the iconic adaptation of reginald roses teleplay stars henry fonda as the initially dissenting member of a jury of white men ready to pass judgment on a puerto rican teenager charged with murdering his father. Requiem for a heavyweight, and the days of wine and roses which went on to become subsequent films are all part of that criterion set but not twelve. Sidney lumets thoughtful jury drama 12 angry men 1957 is a timeless display of empathetic writing that demonstrates the importance of a jury taking their time to come to a verdict together. Thats how masterful the story, and the acting is here.
Unfollow twelve angry men to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. New criterion titles include three colors trilogy, 12 angry men, the rules of the game. A closer look at the american classic film 12 angry men on criterion collection. Twelve men, locked in a room on the hottest day of the year, must decide the fate of a boy charged with knifing his father to death. On a hot summer day in new york city, twelve men are called to sit on the jury of a murder trial. Twelve angry men by reginald rose descriptions of jurors foreman a small, petty man who is impressed with the authority he has and handles himself quite formally.
In the latest episode of casually criterion, dustin, mike, and chris discuss 12 angry men, the recent little women, and wrap up our the mandalorian talk. The film explores the process of law in human hands, where prejudice. Buy 12 angry men the criterion collection from zavvi, the home of pop culture. We feel the sweat in the room, without the actors having to overstate their discomfort. Twelve of his peers not yet angry, only men must decide his guilt, and his fate.
A behindcloseddoors look at the american legal system that is as riveting as it is spare, this iconic adaptation of reginald roses teleplay stars henry fonda as the dissenting member on a jury of white men ready to pass judgment on a puerto rican teenager charged with murdering his father. The presentation is typically strong but a little problematic. Twelve angry men by reginald rose the following play was written for television. Most of the bonus features deal directly with the people involved in 12 angry men and the production history, including a 25minute documentary 12 angry men. I will say, the performances from all involved are powerful yet measured and each character has their own personality that is built in very little. From tv to the big screen, that charts the storys transition from onehour play to 96minute movie. A verdict of guilty would mean a mandatory death sentence. Criterions bluray of 12 angry men frames sidney lumets first theatrical feature at an eyepleasing 1. This 1957 film has been remade and reworked several times, but none of the subsequent versions has ever approached the original. The defendant, an eighteenyearold boy, is on trial for killing his. Why 12 angry men is more relevant than ever one room. Sidney lumets blisteringly relevant masterpiece is given the criterion treatment. Even though the movies 12 angry men argued the same case, there were some important differences. This is a film that takes place entirely in a single room, and tells its story completely through.
Set in a workers camp, the story revolves around a young. I fell in love with twelve angry men during my ap english class in high school. A man a boy, really, only 18 sits in the dock of a us court, accused of murder. Two very different movies are headed to dvd and bluray next week. We enter a courthouse and see twelve men sitting in a jury box.
The judge gives them instructions to reach a ruling on a trial for firstdegree murder. Incredibly, 12 angry men was lumets feature directorial debut, a fact that remains massively impressive considering the films meticulous craft and pacing. Themes all themes reflection of american society justice certainty and doubt stubbornness and taking a stand prejudice vs. An exlibrary book and may have standard library stamps andor stickers. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of 12 angry men by reginald rose. First, one example between the two films was the racial differences. Criterion, however, has completely restored the movie using a 35mm fine grain master positive, and the results are indeed impressive. A behindcloseddoors look at the american legal system that is as. New criterion titles include three colors trilogy, 12.