The Cosmic Watchdog

For those who are fans of gripping courtroom dramas and shocking plot twists, Witness for the Prosecution is one to watch.

Despite its strong reputation among classic film buffs, this 1957 adaptation of Agatha Christie’s acclaimed play has remained under the radar for many modern audiences.

With a 100 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes and a legacy as one of the greatest murder mysteries ever put on screen, it’s a cinematic gem.

Directed by Billy Wilder and based on Agatha’s play, Witness for the Prosecution stars Charles Laughton as Sir Wilfrid Robarts – an ageing, sharp-witted barrister recovering from a heart attack.

He reluctantly takes on the case of Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power), a charming but dubious man accused of murdering a wealthy widow, Emily French, to inherit her fortune.

Vole’s alibi hinges on the testimony of his enigmatic wife, Christine (Marlene Dietrich).

But when Christine unexpectedly testifies against him, claiming he confessed to the crime, the trial takes a jaw-dropping turn.

Critics have praised Billy Wilder’s direction for bringing a sense of steady, quiet excitement to the film.

A journalist reviewing the flick for Variety in 1956 also commended Charles Laughton for his acting skills, saying: “Laughton, sage of the courtroom and cardiac patient who’s constantly disobeying his nurse’s orders, plays out the part flamboyantly and colourfully.

“His reputation for scenery chewing is unmarred via this outing.”

Marlene Dietrich is also said to command every scene she is in as Christine, particularly in a flashback to post-war Berlin where she meets Leonard in a rat-infested cabaret.

The scene not only establishes her desperation but also sets up a lingering question: Is Christine a devoted wife or a cunning manipulator willing to destroy her husband to save herself?

One of the film’s greatest achievements is its ability to keep viewers on edge until the very last moment.

As the Peschel Press review aptly put it, the climax “seizes you by the throat and shakes you like a terrier toying with a rat”.

The screenplay, adapted by Larry Marcus, Harry Kurnitz, and Billy Wilder, cleverly expands upon Agatha’s original play.