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'.
The Firm (1993)
6.8/10
Director: Sydney Pollack
Starring: Tom Cruise, Gene Hackman, Jeanne Tripplehorn
Tom Cruise is the Harvard grad lured to the small Memphis law firm with promises of a cheap mortgage and a flash new car who soon discovers that his b... 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
The Trial (1993)
6/10
Director: David Jones
Starring: Kyle MacLachlan, Anthony Hopkins, Jason Robards
Kafka's landmark novel is brought to life with a faithful Harold Pinter screenplay, superior Prague locations and an excellent cast including Kyle Mac... Read more
Rumpole of the Bailey: Series 7 (1992)
8.5/10
Director: Bill Hays
Starring: Leo McKern, Robin Bailey, Julian Curry
In the seventh and final series of the multi-award winning programme, rumpled barrister Horace Rumpole (Leo McKern) defends the Timson family who are... Read more
Let Him Have It (1992)
7.3/10
Director: Peter Medak
Starring: Christopher Eccleston, Paul Reynolds, Tom Courtenay
An absorbing drama based on the true story of Derek Bentley, a slow-witted youth who was pulled into a life of crime in post war England, and sentence... Read more
Aileen Wuornos: The Selling Of A Serial Killer (1992)
7/10
Director: Nick Broomfield
Starring: Aileen Wuornos
A twisted tale of murder, alleged police corruption and conniving opportunists that tracks the sensational trial and conviction of America's First Fem... Read more
Rumpole of the Bailey: Series 6 (1991)
8.5/10
Director: Various
Starring: Leo McKern, Marion Mack
Q.C. John Mortimer's satirical look at criminal law and the Old Bailey continues in this sixth series. Horace Rumpole makes his way through six compel... 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
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
Criminal Law (1989)
5.7/10
Director: Martin Campbell
Starring: Gary Oldman, Kevin Bacon, Karen Young, Tess Harper
A psycho celebrates his acquittal of a rape/murder with a second bloody spree, leaving clues that only the lawyer who got him off will understand. Twi... Read more