Unit 25

Recorded Version



2nd Version

12 Angry Men

12 Angry Men is a 1957 American drama film. The film is set almost entirely in a courtroom and tells the story of 12 members of the jury who have to decide whether a boy is guilty of murdering his father or not. If the verdict is guilty it will lead to being sent to the electric chair. Although most of the jurors are convinced that the defendant is guilty, juror number 8 who is played by Henry Fonda feels that they should look more into the evidence before confirming that the boy is guilty. As the 12 men examine the testimony, they come across facts of the case but also discover and learn about experiences, personalities and limitations.

As the film goes on they slowly unfold pieces of evidence to prove that the boy is not guilty, and Fonda manages to persuade the other jurors of changing their verdict. The film shows us more possibilities of the suspected murder.

The screenplay was originally produced for television and was broadcast live in 1954. As it was a success, it was later adapted as a film. 12 Angry Men was Sidney Lumet’s first feature film that was co-produced by Henry Fonda and Reginald Rose.

The film is aimed at audiences that are interested in drama and investigations. As this film is set in the 1950’s and filmed in black and white, it will be more popular with middle aged audiences and targeted at an older age group.

12 Angry Men explores many themes throughout the film sequence such as fear. The other things that could be examined are consistency and self-confidence. The film is mainly based around crime which is continuously mentioned. As the crime rate plummeted around the 1950's due to the high birth rate, this is considered another major factor.

One of the main features that the film emphasises is tension. This is shown through shot types such as close up shots on the juror’s faces in order to build suspense. The film also includes medium shots to establish the relationship between the other characters.

Social status was also considered important in those days. In the film some of the characters that are featured like to consider themselves to have a higher social status and more of a right to voice their opinions. But as one of the men reminds them 'no jury can make a decision until sure' which shows that they all have a right to say how they feel as long as they come to the right decision. Today, social status is not considered to be a major issue.

In the time that the film was set America experienced economical growth. The civil rights movement was also brought into place allowing Americans to be given rights to education no matter what race, religion or creed. Although the film doesn't cover any problems regarding these issues, it ties in well as they are all given the freedom and right to say what they feel about the subject and given a choice based on their feelings.

The producer adds clues into the film to make the audience think of other possibilities of how the film is going to end. For example the temperature of the room is very hot which could raise enigma codes about why their getting hot and sweaty; is it because there’s someone hiding something?

Lumet allows audiences to think of questions and about the ideas behind the film in more detail. The film raises many enigma codes such as why does the 8^th man believe so strongly that the boy is not guilty? And why are the other jurors so uninterested in what he has to say at first?

The setting for the entire film is shot in a plain simple room that has a long wooden table and chairs around it. As this is the only place that the film is shot, it creates tension and it also brings the focus away from the setting and draws attention to the items that are placed on the table and what the characters have to say. The three-point lighting allows the scene to be illuminated. Faint shadows appear in the background adding to the depth of frame. The characters are all dressed in smart suits which emphasises their importance. The most important prop that is used occasionally during the film is the knife that was used to stab the boys father.

Many could argue that the film could be spread across a series but as the film already builds suspense throughout, it could lose the effect spread over a number of episodes.
The last scene a dolly zoom shot is used as it shows the items that are placed on the table and then fades out. The film then finishes on two of the men from the room exchanging names and then walking off which allows the audience to think and ask questions.

 2nd Review - Blood Diamond