--- title: "Witness for the Prosecution" year: 1957 kind: "film" canonical: "https://film.one/film/witness-for-the-prosecution" fi1m_id: "witness-for-the-prosecution" imdb_id: "tt0051201" tmdb_id: 37257 wikidata_id: "Q196977" fi1m_score: 87 critics_score: 82 critics_reviews: 6 published: "2026-09-15" updated: "2026-09-18T08:38:33.406865+00:00" region: "NO" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Witness for the Prosecution (1957) Directed by Billy Wilder · 1h 56m · Drama, Mystery, Crime ## Identity Witness for the Prosecution - **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/witness-for-the-prosecution - **Type:** Film - **Fi1m ID:** witness-for-the-prosecution - **IMDb ID:** tt0051201 - **TMDB ID:** 37257 - **Wikidata ID:** Q196977 - **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051201/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/37257, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q196977 **Fi1m score: 87** · Critics 82 from 6 reviews *In a sentence:* Charles Laughton treats a murder trial as a welcome excuse to argue with everyone > Billy Wilder’s courtroom thriller is sharply acted and consistently entertaining, though its plotting sometimes asks too much of the characters. Charles Laughton’s barrister is reason enough to watch. ## Synopsis Sir Wilfrid (Charles Laughton), a barrister, takes on a murder case involving Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power). Christine (Marlene Dietrich), Vole’s wife, is drawn into the testimony, bringing their marriage into the proceedings. At the Old Bailey, the case develops through questioning, conflicting accounts and efforts to establish who can be believed. Sir Wilfrid also has Miss Plimsoll (Elsa Lanchester) to contend with, and their arguments run alongside the legal proceedings. Billy Wilder directs this courtroom crime drama adapted from the work of Agatha Christie. ## Review Billy Wilder makes *Witness for the Prosecution* a briskly enjoyable evening of disputed testimony and bruised vanity, with Charles Laughton given ample room to be difficult. We recommend it, allowing for a plot that occasionally asks its characters to behave for the sake of a surprise. Wilder and fellow screenwriter Harry Kurnitz understand that a courtroom thriller needs more than a puzzle. We have to enjoy listening to the people doing the arguing. Laughton plays Sir Wilfrid as a man who enjoys his own intelligence and expects everyone else to find it equally rewarding. The performance is broad, sometimes insistently so, but its vanity is funny because the mind behind it stays busy. We laughed at his bickering with Elsa Lanchester’s Miss Plimsoll, whose refusal to be impressed makes his fussing funnier. Lanchester understands exactly how much force to give her replies, and the exchanges benefit from having someone prepared to argue back. Tyrone Power has the less immediately rewarding task as Leonard Vole, a man whose involvement in a murder case invites us to inspect every word. He makes the character interesting enough to follow without competing with Laughton for the largest performance. Marlene Dietrich’s Christine is still more absorbing: we find ourselves considering what she means even when the dialogue appears straightforward. Wilder gives these actors time to complicate our first impressions, which matters in a story so dependent on testimony. Alexandre Trauner’s recreation of the Old Bailey gives all this talking a substantial setting, with enough institutional grandeur to make personal vanity look faintly ridiculous. Russell Harlan’s cinematography makes good use of that scale without diminishing the faces we need to study. The film’s theatrical origins remain apparent, particularly when the dialogue does almost all the work of moving a scene forward. Wilder’s staging nevertheless makes speaking and listening sufficiently tense that the relative lack of physical action rarely becomes a problem. Daniel Mandell’s editing is especially useful in keeping the comedy attached to the case. The exchanges have time to land, but they do not make the legal proceedings feel like an interruption to a separate comedy about Sir Wilfrid. Matty Malneck’s music supports the melodrama without competing with the dialogue, though little of it stayed with us afterwards. At 116 minutes, the film allows a generous helping of Laughton without letting his performance bring proceedings to a halt. The reservation is the increasingly elaborate plotting. Wilder and Kurnitz keep the dialogue lively, but the people sometimes have to do what will produce the next surprise rather than what seems plausible for them. We will not describe the developments that expose this weakness; it is enough to say that the script gives the actors some awkward things to justify. The pleasure of watching it depends on accepting a few of those turns without demanding a full explanation. Among courtroom thrillers, this belongs firmly with those that make an entertainment of the personalities conducting the case. Wilder allows their humour to occupy time that a more impatient film might spend hurrying to the next disclosure. Anyone chiefly interested in strict plausibility may find the comedy insufficient compensation, but we would happily sit through another argument with this company. Watch it with someone who can resist discussing their theory over the next line of dialogue. *Fi1m score 87, published 15 September 2026.* ## What the critics say Most critics warmly endorse Witness for the Prosecution, with praise clustering around Charles Laughton’s commanding, funny performance as barrister Sir Wilfrid. The reviews find Billy Wilder’s handling of Agatha Christie’s play sharp and assured, particularly in its dialogue, characterisation and courtroom storytelling. The barbed exchanges between Sir Wilfrid and Miss Plimsoll are a particular pleasure. Marlene Dietrich also earns strong notices, while the supporting performances help keep the legal proceedings lively. Reservations centre on plot mechanics and the weight of the theatrical origins. Radio Times finds the intricate plotting slightly leaky without losing its enthusiasm. Time Out is the clear dissenter: it finds the drama heavy and argues that the plotting undermines Dietrich and Laughton’s credibility, while praising Tyrone Power and Alexander Trauner’s recreation of the Old Bailey. The spread therefore runs from wholehearted enjoyment to a mixed response, rather than outright rejection. ## Straight answers **Is Witness for the Prosecution worth watching?** *Witness for the Prosecution* is worth watching for anyone who enjoys a courtroom thriller carried by its personalities rather than its plausibility, and we scored it 87. Charles Laughton’s vain, quarrelsome barrister and his bickering with Elsa Lanchester are the main pleasure. The plotting grows elaborate and asks the characters to do some awkward things, so go for the arguing rather than the puzzle. **How long is Witness for the Prosecution, and what is it rated?** *Witness for the Prosecution* runs 1h 56m. It is a drama and mystery film. **Where can I watch Witness for the Prosecution in Norway?** *Witness for the Prosecution* is streaming on Amazon Prime Video in Norway, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV from kr 39.00. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service. **How violent or frightening is Witness for the Prosecution, and is it suitable for children?** *Witness for the Prosecution* carries a U certificate and is not violent or frightening; the murder at its centre is argued over in court rather than shown. The film is almost entirely dialogue in the Old Bailey, with very little physical action. Children may find nearly two hours of legal talk slow, but there is nothing here to trouble them. **How does Witness for the Prosecution compare to Anatomy of a Murder?** *Witness for the Prosecution* is the funnier and brisker of the two; [*Anatomy of a Murder*](https://film.one/film/anatomy-of-a-murder) is the longer, more serious and more closely argued trial film. Wilder makes an entertainment of his barrister’s vanity and accepts a few implausible turns; Preminger builds his defence in the open and rewards careful listening. Choose Wilder for company, Preminger for the case itself. **Is Witness for the Prosecution based on a true story or a book?** *Witness for the Prosecution* is not a true story; it is adapted from a novel by Agatha Christie. Its origins show in how much of the film is carried by dialogue, though Billy Wilder’s staging keeps the talking tense. You need no knowledge of Christie’s original to follow it, and the film is best approached without knowing where the case is heading. **What should I watch after Witness for the Prosecution?** After *Witness for the Prosecution*, try [*Anatomy of a Murder*](https://film.one/film/anatomy-of-a-murder) (1959, Fi1m 87): For courtroom argument that rewards listening closely and distrusting easy explanations. Then [*High and Low*](https://film.one/film/high-and-low) (1963, Fi1m 90): A criminal investigation with exact staging and uncomfortable questions about respectable people; and [*Anatomy of a Fall*](https://film.one/film/anatomy-of-a-fall) (2023, Fi1m 86): Marriage comes under forensic scrutiny, and certainty proves difficult to earn. ### Reviews we read (9) - **Radio Times**, Adrian Turner (5/5): This gleefully enjoyable film version of Agatha Christie's play from director Billy Wilder stars Tyrone Power and Marlene Dietrich in a tale of murder and testimony with an intricate, slightly leaky plot and trademark surprise ending. Wilder provides the broadest stage imaginable for Charles Laughton's epic, extravagant, inventive and hammy performance as the wily barrister. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-lu4pvk/witness-for-the-prosecution/) - **The Times**, Kevin Maher (★★★★★): The critic calls it the definitive courtroom thriller with two startling final twists. They single out Marlene Dietrich’s naturalistic performance as the doting yet testifying wife and Charles Laughton’s commanding turn as the barrister. [Read](https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/film-review-witness-for-the-prosecution-1957-6m8gl7hqn) - **The AV Club**, Gwen Ihnat (85/100, inferred): The film is an odd, delightful standout in both Wilder’s and Christie’s careers. The critic singles out the humorous barbed interplay between Sir Wilfrid and Miss Plimsoll, along with Charles Laughton’s tremendous presence. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/billy-wilder-took-on-agatha-christie-for-a-one-of-a-kin-1847004970) - **Empire**, David Parkinson (80/100, inferred): The critic praises Billy Wilder's adaptation for its sharp dialogue, strong characterizations, and focus on Sir Wilfrid Robarts. Performances by Charles Laughton, Elsa Lanchester, Tyrone Power and Marlene Dietrich are singled out as particularly effective. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/witness-prosecution-review/) - **Slant Magazine**, Clayton Dillard (80/100, inferred): The film is a triumph of effortless story execution, pinpoint humor, and acting masterclass, remaining vintage Wilder. The critic singles out Charles Laughton’s cunning, funny performance as the principled yet indulgent barrister Sir Wilfrid. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/dvd/witness-for-the-prosecution-blu-ray-review-billy-wilder/) - **Time Out**, PH (50/100, inferred): The undisputed star of this courtroom drama is Alexander Trauner's magnificent recreation of the Old Bailey, which is just as well since the theatrical origins give the movie a heavy, almost stolid flavour. Tyrone Power is surprisingly good, but the swift twists soon drain Dietrich and Laughton's roles of dramatic credibility. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/witness-for-the-prosecution-1) - **The New Yorker**, John McCarten: The film builds up quite a head of suspense in its adaptation of the Agatha Christie play, with strong turns from Charles Laughton, Marlene Dietrich, and others. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1958/02/15/charade) - **The New York Times**, Bosley Crowther: The film comes off extraordinarily well as a courtroom melodrama thanks mainly to Billy Wilder's splendid staging of the courtroom scenes and a first-rate performance by Charles Laughton. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/1958/02/07/archives/screen-witness-for-the-prosecution-laughton-is-starred-in-courtroom.html) - **Variety**, Variety Staff: A courtroom meller played engagingly and building evenly to a surprising climax, transferred to the screen with competence under Billy Wilder's direction that generates quiet and steady excitement. [Read](https://variety.com/1956/film/reviews/witness-for-the-prosecution-1200418175/) ## Details - **Director:** Billy Wilder - **Director:** Billy Wilder - **Screenplay:** Billy Wilder, Harry Kurnitz - **Novel:** Agatha Christie - **Cinematography:** Russell Harlan - **Editor:** Daniel Mandell - **Music:** Matty Malneck - **Production design:** Alexandre Trauner - **Costume design:** Joe King, Edith Head, Adele Parmenter - **Producer:** Arthur Hornblow Jr. - **Cast:** Tyrone Power as Leonard Vole; Marlene Dietrich as Christine; Charles Laughton as Sir Wilfrid; Elsa Lanchester as Miss Plimsoll; John Williams as Brogan-Moore; Henry Daniell as Mayhew; Ian Wolfe as Carter; Torin Thatcher as Mr. Myers - **Runtime:** 1h 56m - **First release (Canada):** 17 December 1957 - **Genres:** Drama, Mystery, Crime - **Also in:** [Best Picture winners](https://film.one/collections/oscar-best-picture.md) (Nominee, 1957); [Golden Globe Best Drama winners](https://film.one/collections/golden-globe-drama.md) (Nominee, 1957) - **Budget:** $3 million - **Box office:** $9 million - **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgjVcXRDU0I ## Where to watch in Norway - Amazon Prime Video: streaming - Amazon Prime Video: rent kr 39.00, hd - Apple TV: rent kr 39.00, hd - Amazon Prime Video: buy kr 109.00, hd - Apple TV: buy kr 109.00, hd *Checked 2026-09-15.* Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IT, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PH, PL, PT, RO, SE, SG, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country. ## Awards - Academy Awards 1958: Best Actor (nominated); Best Director (nominated); Best Film Editing (nominated); Best Picture (nominated); Best Sound (nominated); Best Supporting Actress (nominated) ## If you liked this - *Anatomy of a Murder* (1959), Fi1m 87: For courtroom argument that rewards listening closely and distrusting easy explanations — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/anatomy-of-a-murder.md) - *Les Diaboliques* (1955): A darker mystery, equally alert to what a composed face can conceal - *High and Low* (1963), Fi1m 90: A criminal investigation with exact staging and uncomfortable questions about respectable people — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/high-and-low.md) - *My Cousin Vinny* (1992): More courtroom bickering, with careful attention to evidence beneath the comedy - *Anatomy of a Fall* (2023), Fi1m 86: Marriage comes under forensic scrutiny, and certainty proves difficult to earn — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/anatomy-of-a-fall.md) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/witness-for-the-prosecution