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Witness For The Prosecution: Film Vs. Short Story

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Witness for the Prosecution “The ultimate mystery is one’s own self” (Sammy Davis Jr.). Mysteries have an allure that keep audiences intrigued and engaged on what will happen next. “Witness for the prosecution”, originally written by Agatha Christie, is no different in the sense that both the short story and visual adaption keep the audience on the edge of their seat as the apprehensive story unfolds. Although the storyline for the short story and movie adaptions both follow the same repertoire, there are a vast number of significant differences that keep the audience entertained and in suspense of what is to come next. Not previously known for her courtroom dramas, “The Witness for the Prosecution” has become one of Agatha Christie most adapted and best known stories. It was first published in 1925 in the USA under the title Traitor Hands in Flynn 's Weekly. In 1957 an American film version was made, starring Marlene Dietrich and Charles Laughton, and directed by long term Agatha Christie fan, Billy Wilder. Since then, movie adaptions have been made all around the world in different languages including English, Russian, Japanese, and one was even made in the Marathi language version …show more content…

Mayherne, Vole’s solicitor, who is portrayed to be very dubious of Leonard Vole’s innocence in the beginning but later comes to believe in his innocence. The story focuses around Romaine even though she is not immediately introduced. The story then moves along rather quickly and does not take up as much time in the courtroom as the movie. The story starts in Mayherne’s office and then it travels to the Vole’s residence. The setting makes a quick stop in the courtroom but is hastily abandoned as Mayherne follows a lead that might break Romaine’s testimony. Ultimately the story ends back up the court room with Leonard being set free of charges and Mayherne learning Leonard was guilty all

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