Witness for the Prosecution

1982 ""

Witness for the Prosecution

7.1 | 1h37m | en | Crime

Sir Wilfred Robarts, a famed barrister is released from the hospital, where he stayed for two months following his heart attack. Returning to the practise of his lawyer skills, he takes the case of Leonard Vole, an unemployed man who is accused of murdering an elderly lady friend of his, Mrs. Emily French. While Leonard Vole claims he's innocent, although all evidence points to him as the killer, his alibi witness, his cold German wife Christine, instead of entering the court as a witness for the defense, she becomes the witness for the prosecution and strongly claims her husband is guilty of the murder.

WATCH FREEFOR 30 DAYS

All Prime Video
Cancel anytime

Watch Now

7.1 | 1h37m | en | Crime | More Info

Released: December. 04,1982 | Released Producted By: Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions , Rosemont Productions Country: United States of America Budget: 0 Revenue: 0 Official Website:

Synopsis

Stream Online

The movie is currently not available onine

Cast

Diana Rigg , Ralph Richardson , Deborah Kerr

Director

Arthur Ibbetson

Producted By

Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions , Rosemont Productions

Watch Free for 30 Days

All Prime Video Movies and TV Shows. Cancel anytime.

Watch Now

Trailers & Images

Cast

Diana Rigg

as Christine Vole

Last Night in Soho Black Narcissus The Snail and the Whale A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong Breathe The Painted Veil Heidi Charles II: The Power & the Passion Rebecca

Ralph Richardson

as Sir Wilfred Robarts

Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes Wagner Witness for the Prosecution Dragonslayer Watership Down The Man in the Iron Mask Lady Caroline Lamb O Lucky Man! Whoever Slew Auntie Roo?

Deborah Kerr

as Nurse Plimsoll

Hold the Dream A Woman of Substance The Assam Garden A Woman of Substance Witness for the Prosecution The Gypsy Moths The Arrangement Casino Royale Marriage on the Rocks

Reviews

jjnxn-1 Excellent TV version of the Agatha Christie classic with an amazing array of talent for this type of enterprise. This is the sort of high quality fare that was standard on American television in the 70s & 80s and is sadly missing today. Bridges is okay but miscast. Leonard Vole needs to be played by someone with a slick charm as it was by Tyrone Power in the original, a persona like George Clooney projects now and Bridges while a capable actor doesn't have that quality. Therefore he is easily put in the shade by the powerhouse team of Sir Ralph Richardson and Diana Rigg. Both give exceptional performances, Richardson sly, knowing and wise while Diana Rigg is perfect as the determined if misguided Christine. Deborah Kerr provides a nice light touch as Richardson nurse. Good fun all around.

igorlongo The better version of Witness For The Prosecution,starring a very remarkable Diana Rigg as a frosty and yet highly intense dark lady,and presenting the most compelling courtroom drama ever seen on the screen,with a duel to death among an ambitious and insinuating prosecutor played with his usual malicious glint by a wonderful Donald Pleasance and a dying and cunning barrister played with vulnerable naughtiness by a titanic Ralph Richardson.The stellar cast is completed by the Gotha of beloved English character actors:Wendy Hiller,Richard Vernon,David Langton,Peter Sallis...even Deborah Kerr in an endearing role of comic relief.A major success,highly deserving a DVD edition,and very curiously far superior to the Billy Wilder version,exceedingly verging on glamor and comedy.

Ismaninb Everyone who has seen both versions will compare. Well, Charles Laughton and Tyrone Power in my opinion are better than Ralph Richardson and Beau Bridges. Charles Laughton simply is very funny. Tyrone Power performs a more shady character. But Diana Riggs is excellent, while Marlene Dietrich, much to my surprise and disappointment, is quite woody. The story in both versions are very alike. Though I haven't read the book, I assume they remain both quite close to it. So preference depends on the acting. I don't have one. I quite enjoyed both. The strength of the story is proved by the fact, that one can enjoy it even with knowing the real meaning of all the twists and turns.

The_Rook Sorry but I find the original a bit slow. The original court case is probably more dramatic. However, I like the cast better in this newer rendition and wish it was available on DVD. Diana Rigg as always is great. Deborah Kerr and Donald Pleasance also turn in good performances.