12 Angry Men As A Timeless Classic

The 1957 film titled, “12 Angry Men”, gives a behind-the-scenes view into the American legal justice system. “12 Angry Men” was directed by Sidney Lumet and was written by American film writer Reginald Rose. The film is made in black and white and features famous actors such as Henry Fonda and Lee J. Cobb. “12 Angry Men” follows a jury made up of twelve men and their deliberation of a murder trial.

During the 1950s, on the hottest day of the year, twelve men file into a narrow-spaced jury room. Closing arguments have been made in the courtroom regarding the case, and the men must now decide the fate of an accused teen. The teen has been charged with murder by the first degree. If he is found guilty, he will be sent to death row. The judge recalls that the jury’s vote must be unanimous. While eleven of the men find the boy to be guilty, one juror expresses his doubt on aspects of the case. This sends the jury room into an uproar. As the film continues, conflict arises, evidence is evaluated, and the value and future of a boy’s life are heavily debated.

“12 Angry Men” all takes place in one room. Rather than confining the action, it heightens the tension and drama. There are not many cuts nor scene dividers, instead, most of the story unfolds through one take. To the audience, this creates the effect of the movie being filmed in real-time. The evidence of the case is debated so that the audience knows as much as the jury does. Director Lumet uses these film tactics to engage the audience and help them follow along.

“12 Angry Men” places the audience into the shoes of its characters. Through the short time of ninety-five minutes, the jurors become defined in terms of their characters, jobs, and backgrounds. Each juror is seen with their own biases, which are formed from their past life experiences. Audiences can often relate to the characters, especially to the main protagonist, juror number eight, who places his initial vote as not guilty. Juror number eight is an everyday man who stands up for what he believes in. He brings up the main point of the film that every life is valuable and deserves justice.

Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. The plot was engaging, the cinematography was simple, yet effective, and the actors portraying the characters were believable. I find it interesting how the audience is unaware that the characters are not named, and how it’s not important. You instead learn about who they are as people and what they believe in. You find out who has the strength to not make it personal and to just concentrate on the facts. “12 Angry Men” reminds its audience of the importance of civic duty and the major difference it can make in the lives of the accused and its victims. I highly recommend this film.

“12 Angry Men” is a timeless classic. Although filmed in the 1950s, its story is still relevant today. The film features masterclass acting, a riveting plot, and great characters that make for a captivating film.