The most electrifying entertainment of our time!|Dec. 17, 1957|USA|116 Min.|Approved
Genre: Crime;Drama;Mystery
Description: Sir Wilfrid Robarts, a seasoned barrister recovering from a heart attack, decides to defend Leonard Vole despite warnings from his nurse, Miss Plimsoll, and his doctor. Vole stands accused of murdering Mrs. Emily French, a wealthy older widow who had grown fond of him and named him the primary beneficiary in her will. While strong circumstantial evidence suggests Vole’s guilt, Sir Wilfrid is convinced of his innocence.
During the investigation, Sir Wilfrid meets Vole’s German wife, Christine, who appears cold yet provides an alibi for her husband, though it lacks credibility. The case takes a dramatic turn when Christine is called as a witness for the prosecution. She reveals that she was still married to Otto Helm, a man living in East Germany, when she wed Vole. Under oath, Christine shocks the court by claiming Vole confessed to her that he killed Mrs. French, driven by her conscience to reveal the truth.
As the trial unfolds at the Old Bailey, Sir Wilfrid receives letters from an anonymous woman. These letters, reportedly written by Christine, expose her affair with a man named “Max” and detail their plan to frame Leonard. The woman claims Max scarred her face, adding legitimacy to her motives for sharing the letters. This revelation casts doubt on Christine’s testimony and raises questions about the true nature of the case.
Cast director: Billy Wilder
Cast actor: Charles Laughton, Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, Elsa Lanchester, John Williams, Ian Wolfe, Torin Thatcher, Norma Varden, Henry Daniell, Una O’Connor
Original name: Witness for the Prosecution