Legal Eagles
A natural breeding ground for tension, suspense and witty repartee, the courtroom has long been an obvious choice for filmmakers. Here you will find murder ('In Cold Blood', 'Murder in the First'), injustice ('The Trials of Darryl Hunt', 'In The Name of the Father'), corruption ('Runaway Jury', 'Damages'), bigotry ('To Kill A Mockingbird', 'The Accused') and a few laughs as well ('Legally Blonde'). All be seated! Court is now in session!
Pictured: Brock Peters and the inimitable Gregory Peck who won the Oscar for his protrayal of Atticus Finch in 'To Kill A Mockingbird'.
Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)
8.2/10
Director: Stanley Kramer
Starring: Spencer Tracy, Burt Lancaster, Richard Widmark, Marlene Dietrich
In 1948 the trials of Germans for crimes against humanity where drawing to a close and this film examines one of the lesser trials, in which four judg... Read more
In the Name of the Father (1993)
8.1/10
Director: Jim Sheridan
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Emma Thompson, Pete Postlethwaite
"In the Name of the Father" tells the true saga of Gerry Conlon (Daniel Day-Lewis), a petty thief in strife-torn '70s Belfast. After angering the IRA... Read more
Indictment: The McMartin Trial (1995)
7.7/10
Director: Mick Jackson
Starring: James Woods, Mercedes Ruehl, Henry Thomas
The McMartin child abuse trial - 6 years and 16 million dollars - the longest and most expensive trial in history is recreated in this hard-hitting, r... Read more
The Winslow Boy (1999)
7.4/10
Director: David Mamet
Starring: Gemma Jones, Nigel Hawthorne, Jeremy Northam, Rebecca Pidgeon
From the celebrated play by Terence Rattigan comes this moving representation of "The Winslow Boy", an exquisite new film by acclaimed director and pl... Read more
Presumed Innocent (1990)
6.9/10
Director: Alan J Pakula
Starring: Harrison Ford, Brian Dennehy, Raul Julia
A criminal prosecutor becomes the prime suspect in the murder of a colleague with whom he once had a fiery extra-marital relationship. Harrison Ford,... Read more
Class Action (1991)
6.4/10
Director: Michael Apted
Starring: Gene Hackman, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
Gene Hackman plays a dedicated attorney who on behalf of an injured motorist takes a powerful corporation to court - with his daughter Mary Elizabeth... Read more
Amistad (1997)
7.3/10
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Morgan Freeman, Anthony Hopkins, Nigel Hawthorne, Matthew McConaughey, Djimon Ho...
Based on a true story, the movie chronicles the incredible journey of a group of enslaved Africans who overtake their captor's ship and attempt to ret... Read more
Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer (2003)
7.1/10
Director: Joan Churchill, Nick Broomfield
Starring: Aileen Wuornos
Returning to the subject of his 1992 documentary, "Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer", co-director Nick Broomfield delves into Wuornos' t... Read more
Salem Witch Trials (1998)
6.2/10
in 1692 19 men and women were hanged, and one man was 'pressed' to death following the witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts. Almost twenty years late... Read more
The Juror (1996)
5.6/10
Director: Brian Gibson
Starring: Demi Moore, Alec Baldwin, James Gandolfini
A juror (Demi Moore) on a high-profile Mafia trial is terrorised by a hoodlum (Alec Baldwin) who wants her to hang the jury. Fine performances by both... Read more