12 ANGRY MEN

what a great way to start off this project. 12 angry men is easily in my top 10 films of all time (also the basis for jury duty easily one of my top 10 favorite Pauly shore movies). The film stars the likes of Henry Fonda, the voice of piglet, Zorak's favorite actor Jack Klugman, and a man who is seemingly the oldest man in the world. The film its self takes place almost entirely within one room, a non letterbox or widescreen version enhances the feeling that your there with these men. In the film a jury is locked in a jury room to deliberate on a case of a son who stands accused of murdering his father. at the onset all but one man are ready to convict. this lone wolf Henry Fonda has his doubts and as he shares them with the group he begins to sway them to his side. the film is small and character driven, we learn the personalities of all 12 men. juror #12 works in an ad agency we know this because he mentions it about 4 billion times. any time i am in an argument about the death penalty i always break out the "perhaps you would like to pull the switch" lines although this film makes no argument for or against the death penalty its about the right to a fair trial and the burden of proof in such cases. i think this film should be a required civics lesson for every high school student. it is odd to me that in the 1950's you could apparently bring a switchblade into a court house.

UPDATE
there is a made for tv remake that i have never seen that stars tony danza and george c scott, but i am surprised there has not been a theatrical remake with george cloony in the fonda role