12 Angry Men

12 Angry Men (1957) starring Henry Fonda and a galaxy of character actors. Directed by Sidney Lumet. It's hard to believe that a movie about twelve men shut up in a room together to deliberate a jury verdict could make a compelling film, but in this case it works. A clever script keeps things moving, and strong acting and vivid characters make this a very watchable movie. Fonda plays the lone dissenting juror in the murder trial of a young man, a trial which, if a guilty verdict is reached, will end in the execution of the suspect. All twelve men aren't really angry -- there are just a few hotheads in the room. But there is enough drama in that room to keep any viewer interested. (Subtitles are not available, but closed captions save the day.) Grade: A-