An almost absurdly assured debut feature here from Sidney Lumet, the great American director who would go on to make classics such as Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, Network and The Verdict. 12 Angry Men takes place, almost in its entirety, in a jury room, where 12 men must decide whether a teenager accused of killing his father is guilty. What initially looks like an open-and-shut case begins to unravel when Juror 8 (Henry Fonda), refuses to join the unanimous verdict and asks his fellow jurors to examine the evidence more carefully.
Adapted from Reginald Rose’s TV play, the film turns the mechanics of deliberation into gripping drama, gradually exposing the prejudices, assumptions and personal grievances that have shaped the jurors’ opinions. Lumet brings the camera increasingly close to his characters as the room grows more claustrophobic. A superb ensemble cast including Lee J Cobb, EG Marshall and Jack Klugman brings each juror vividly to life. A powerful study of doubt, reason and collective responsibility.