Anatomy of a Murder (1959) movie poster

Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

"No search of human emotions has ever probed so deeply, so truthfully asโ€ฆ Anatomy of a Murder."
ThumbScore
๐Ÿ‘ 83%Google users liked it archived
Critics Score
๐ŸŽฌ 98% (RT: 100%, MC: 95) โ„น๏ธRT = Rotten Tomatoes (critic reviews). MC = Metacritic (weighted critic average). Critics Score is the average of both.
CrimeDramaMystery

Where to Watch

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Director
Runtime
2h 41m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
TMDB Rating
7.8/10 (1,132 votes)
Rotten Tomatoes
100%
Metacritic
95
Cast
James Stewart as Paul "Pauly" Biegler
Lee Remick as Laura Manion
Ben Gazzara as Lieutenant Frederick "Manny" Manion
Arthur O'Connell as Parnell Emmett "Parn" McCarthy
Eve Arden as Maida Rutledge
Kathryn Grant as Mary Pilant
George C. Scott as AAG Claude Dancer
Orson Bean as Dr. Matthew Smith
Most people think so. 83% of audiences gave it a thumbs up based on 1,132 votes. Critics gave it 98%.
Overview
Semi-retired Michigan lawyer Paul Biegler takes the case of Army Lt. Manion, who murdered a local innkeeper after his wife claimed that he raped her. Over the course of an extensive trial, Biegler parries with District Attorney Lodwick and out-of-town prosecutor Claude Dancer to set his client free, but his case rests on the victim's mysterious business partner, who's hiding a dark secret. Wikipedia โ†—
Fun Facts
  • During production of Anatomy of a Murder, the crew faced numerous challenges but managed to complete the shoot ahead of schedule.
  • Many of the background extras were actually locals from the filming locations.
  • Otto Preminger cited several classic crime films as the primary inspiration for the visual style.
Audience Consensus

Anatomy of a Murder is a 1959 crime, drama, mystery film directed by Otto Preminger. Semi-retired Michigan lawyer Paul Biegler takes the case of Army Lt. Manion, who murdered a local innkeeper after his wife claimed that he raped her.

Over the course of an extensive trial, Biegler parries with District Attorney Lodwick and out-of-town prosecutor Claude Dancer to set his client free, but his case rests on the victim's mysterious business partner, who's hiding a dark secret. The film has been rated by 1,132 audiences on ThumbScore, reflecting its reach and engagement with viewers. As a crime film, Anatomy of a Murder delivers on the expectations of its genre while bringing its own distinctive perspective to the storytelling.

The production showcases the creative vision of its filmmaking team, bringing together performances, cinematography, and narrative elements that have resonated with audiences. Anatomy of a Murder (1959) continues to find viewers through theatrical releases, streaming platforms, and home media, maintaining its place in the contemporary entertainment landscape. The film represents the kind of cinematic experience that has attracted a dedicated audience, with viewers appreciating its approach to the story and characters it presents.

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What Reddit Thinks

r/iwatchedanoldmovie
⬆ 73💬 15 comments
Anatomy Of A Murder 1959
Was dialed in to the last scene! The controversial topic for its time and court room drama was riveting. The Duke Ellington soundtrack was a... Read on Reddit →
Top comment: "Lee Remick was excellent in this."
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