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12 Angry Men Essay

748 Words3 Pages

The film, "12 Angry Men" tells the story of a twelve-man jury discussing the fate of an alleged murderer who happens to be a young man. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest courtroom dramas ever made, directed by Sidney Lumet and released in 1957. This film dives into the topics of justice, prejudice, and the power of persuasion.

In a crowded and hot jury room, the story takes place on a rainy ordinary afternoon. In order to speed up the process, eleven of the twelve jurors declare that the accused is guilty. Juror number 8, played by Henry Fonda, follows his moral belief of innocence until proven guilty. He is convinced that there is reasonable doubt and that the accused deserves a fair trial. Over the course of the film, he works …show more content…

The heat in the room causes the jurors to sweat profusely, the situation spirals from beginning to end causing the men feelings of anger, boredom, and anxiety. The film is shot in a way that emphasizes the claustrophobia of the space, with the camera often focusing on tight close-ups of the jurors' faces.
This film is highly touted for its use of dialogue. The film only gets slightly physical at points in time and for the majority of the film it is simply the words that create the tense courtroom. The film is also notable for its exploration of the American justice system. The film exposes the flaws in the system, such as the influence of bias and prejudice, but also highlights the importance of the jury system and the power of individual conscience. The film's ultimate message is one of hope, that justice can prevail even in the face of overwhelming …show more content…

When I watched the film for the first time I expected the ending where everyone would eventually change their vote to not-guilty, but I could not predict how they would all make the decision. As the film progresses, it becomes increasingly apparent that things are not as clear as they seem. The film challenges the audience to question their own assumptions and biases, just as the jurors are forced to do. It is a powerful reminder that things are not always what they seem, and that we must be willing to challenge our own beliefs and

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