Witness for the Prosecution (1957) | |
| Director(s) | Billy Wilder |
| Producer(s) | Arthur Hornblow Jr., Edward Small (executive uncredited) |
| Top Genres | Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller/Suspense |
| Top Topics | Based on Play, Book-Based, Courtroom, Husband Wife, Lawyers |
Featured Cast:
Witness for the Prosecution Overview:
Witness for the Prosecution (1957) was a Crime - Drama Film directed by Billy Wilder and produced by Arthur Hornblow Jr. and Edward Small.
The film was based on the short story Traitor Hands written by Agatha Christie published in Flynn's Weekly and as a Play (Jan 1925 (magazine) and Dec 16, 1954 - Jun 30, 1956 (play performed at Henry Miller's Theatre, NY)).
SYNOPSIS
Wilder pumps up the pace of Agatha Christie's play and adds even more suspense in a twisty, impossible-to-predict mystery. Laughton is ready to retire his barrister's wig at his wife Lanchester's insistence when a colleague presents him with an intriguing murder case involving drifter Power and the murder of a wealthy widow. Power's only alibi is his wife, Dietrich, and she's not the witness either Power or Laughton expects. A terrific, engaging whodunit.
(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).
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Academy Awards 1957 --- Ceremony Number 30 (source: AMPAS)
| Award | Recipient | Result |
| Best Actor | Charles Laughton | Nominated |
| Best Supporting Actress | Elsa Lanchester | Nominated |
| Best Director | Billy Wilder | Nominated |
| Best Film Editing | Daniel Mandell | Nominated |
| Best Picture | Arthur Hornblow, Jr., Producer | Nominated |
Witness for the Prosecution BlogHub Articles:
Silver Screen Standards: Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
By Jennifer Garlen on Mar 13, 2025 From Classic Movie Hub BlogWitness for the Prosecution (1957) On my most recent visit to London, I went to see a stage production of Agatha Christie?s 1953 play, Witness for the Prosecution, and of course I had to rewatch the 1957 film adaptation again as soon as I got home so that I could see how they compared to one anot... Read full article
Tyrone Power heads the cast in “Witness for the Prosecution”
By Stephen Reginald on May 22, 2023 From Classic Movie ManTyrone Power heads the cast in “Witness for the Prosecution” Witness for the Prosecution (1957) is an American mystery thriller directed by Billy Wilder and starring Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, and Charles Laughton. The supporting cast includes Elsa Lanchester, John Williams, He... Read full article
DOUBLE BILL #13: Witness for the Prosecution (1957) and 12 Angry Men (1957)
By Carol Martinheira on Apr 12, 2018 From The Old Hollywood GardenDOUBLE BILL #13: Witness for the Prosecution (1957) and 12 Angry Men (1957) On April 12, 2018 By CarolIn Uncategorized Courtroom dramas never disappoint. They?re tense, gripping, dramatic and emotional and, more often than not, they grab you by the throat and they don?... Read full article
Witness for the Prosecution (1982 TVM)
By John Grant on Nov 16, 2016 From NoirishUK, US / 102 minutes / color / United Artists Dir: Alan Gibson Pr: Norman Rosemont Scr: John Gay Story: ?Traitor?s Hands? (1925 Flynn?s Weekly) and Witness for the Prosecution (1953 play), both by Agatha Christie, and the screenplay for Witness for the Prosecution (1957) by Billy Wilder, Harry Kurni... Read full article
Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
By Beatrice on Jun 10, 2016 From Flickers in TimeWitness for the Prosecution Directed by Billy Wilder Written by Billy Wilder and Harry Kurnitz; adapted by Lawrence B. Marcus from the play by Agatha Christie 1957/USA Edward Small Productions/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Repeat viewing/Amazon Instant I don’t know how this courtroom drama missed the... Read full article
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Quotes from Witness for the Prosecution
Leonard Vole: [in Christine's bombed-out hovel] It's horrible! In a gemutlich sort of way.
Sir Wilfrid: [Leonard Vole has been acquitted] We've disposed of the gallows, but there's still that banana peel somewhere.
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Facts about Witness for the Prosecution
This was the final film for Tyrone Power, who died shortly after completion.
William Holden was the first choice for Leonard, but he was unavailable. Billy Wilder and the producer Arthur Hornblow Jr. then went to Tyrone Power, who turned down the part. Other actors considered for the role included Gene Kelly, Kirk Douglas, Glenn Ford, Jack Lemmon, and even Roger Moore. Eventually, Tyrone Power accepted the role when he was offered both Witness for the Prosecution and Solomon and Sheba for $300,000 each. Before he could complete Solomon however, Power had a fatal heart attack and was replaced by Yul Brynner. Ava Gardner and Rita Hayworth were also considered for the role of Christine Helm.
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