12 Angry Men (1957) is SIGNIFICANT, Then & Now! | *First Time Watching* Movie Reaction & Commentary

Full length reaction on Patreon: / casualnerdreactions
My first time watching 12 Angry Men (1957) I've wanted to see this movie for years! I'm so glad my patrons voted for this and honestly, it met and exceeded my expectations. What an interesting movie, I definitely am still thinking about and digesting its content. I hope you enjoy my movie reaction and commentary for 12 Angry Men.
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Hi, I'm Chris! Welcome to my channel. I react to movies & tv shows hoping to represent what it's really like to experience them for the first time. If you enjoy, you can support me by liking the video, subscribing to the channel, and letting me know your thoughts in the comments.
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Original Movie:
*Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED. All rights belong to their respective owners.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

This is truly a classic film with a timeless message. What are your thoughts on this film?

[@CasualNerdReactions]

@@papalaz4444244 That's exactly right! It COULD have been boring, yet it started off intriguing and just became more and more engaging the further in you get.

[@AbsoluteApril]

@@papalaz4444244 yes exactly, this movie holds up so well

[@gregall2178]

@@AbsoluteApril A timeless classic ;-) I suspect you'd like To Kill A Mockingbird as well...

[@gggooding]

To answer a question you kinda had: your brain goes *moosh* when questioned by the fuzz. I've been questioned (as witness and suspect [didn't do it]) about 9 times in my life. I'm smarter than the average bear but under questioning I turn into Simple Jack. It's embarrassing, but true (for me at least). Details go right out the window and ya just blubber.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

@@gggooding That makes sense actually. One time I went to Canada in the middle of the night with a friend and then immediately back to the USA and we didn't do anything wrong or anything, but it was weird and I did not do well answering their questions. 😳

[@peterbooth793]

Someone once said, " I'd rather see 10 guilty men go free, than to condemn an innocent man. "

[@RLucas3000]

I think the is actually “100 guilty men go free”

[@annika3265]

I think your interpretation of Juror 3's breakdown is on point. He totally was projecting his anger about his son on to the boy on trial, so in the end when he says 'Not guilty' he's not talking only about the boy on trial, he's also talking about his son. He's admiting to himself that his son wasn't to blame for their broken relationship, we spent the whole movie seeing how anger can't serve as a solution to conflicts and how Juror 3 is using his anger as way to justify his own point of view, at the end Juror 3 is finally able to understand how his anger is blinding him and admit that his son is 'not guilty'.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Oh I love the idea that he was coming to terms and recognizing his son is not guilty. Layers. So powerful.

[@tylerfreal6472]

no 8 bullied everyone into letting a killer go free

[@captbunnykiller1.0]

Because he is standing in the shoes of the father whom nobody is defending, nobody says he didn't deserve it. He thinks "This could have been me."

[@StarShipGray]

My favorite part is that we still don’t know whether or not the kid killed his father. We only have the reasonable doubt and that is the whole point.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

I completely agree! More information may have satiated out curiosity, but detracted from the message of the film.

[@Jordan-Ramses]

He's definitely innocent. If he stabbed his father he'd have blood all over. There certainly would have been a struggle. He'd have injuries and ripped clothes.

[@praapje]

@@Jordan-Ramses We´re supposed to believe that someone stabbed his father with exactly the same kind of knife he just bought that day?

[@Jordan-Ramses]

@@praapje it's the same knife. He lost it. Someone found it and stabbed his father. It's not as coincidental as it sounds. He could have lost it in or near his apartment. A neighbor could have found it who knew his father and had reason to kill him. I believe that more than that a teen could stab his father to death in the chest and not get any blood on himself. He wasn't a criminal genius. Have you ever seen a crime scene from a fatal stabbing? Blood everywhere. But of course it's not a real crime. It's fiction. The details don't make sense. Nobody gets stabbed once in the chest and dies. It's not a realistic crime at all. It's just poor writing. But it sounds more like an accidental death than a murder. I'd believe that his father found the knife. Passed out drunk and fell on top of it. Makes more sense than a knife attack. It's not very believable but it's more believable than a murder. If you're going to stab someone to death you're going to make sure that they're dead. One stab, no defensive cuts? That doesn't sound at all like a murder.

[@praapje]

@@Jordan-Ramses I certainly agree that there´s reasonable doubt, but in my book the boy still is suspect nr. 1. Someone finding the knife in the vacinity of the father´s apartment is plausible, but stabbing the father is not. Possible, but not probable. I agree that having no blood on his clothes is impossible. But...who´s to say the boy didn´t change his clothes and got rid of the bloody ones? There is reasonable doubt about his guilt, yet on the other hand everything the boy told the police could fit perfectly in a scenario in which he did kill his father.

[@nightfall902]

What? No explosions, no blood, no special effects either practical or cgi, not even color??? Apparently it is possible to make an excellent movie with just a great script, professional actors, near flawless direction and all in basically just one room. A film that makes you think and pulls you into the place. It is impossible to watch this without saying "I think". Something that is sadly missing in most movies today. Over 60 years old and just as compelling today.

[@bcriswell]

Very well put Jason. I agree wholeheartedly.

[@geraldmcboingboing7401]

Another thing that makes this movie remarkable is that it was an Emmy Award winning live play on the TV show, Studio One, three years before it was made into a film. Two of the actors repeated their roles.

[@nightfall902]

@@geraldmcboingboing7401 I have seen the Studio One version. It's done as a three act play. It was an exceptional piece of work for the time. Because it was a staged as a play, it was a bit limited on lighting and camera angles but was very well done. The script it truly wonderful. The acting was amazing. I remember Robert Cummings and Norman Fell distinctly and George Sweeny, the older gentleman from this movie version.

[@geraldmcboingboing7401]

@@nightfall902 It's on KZbin for anyone, who wants to watch it and experience some early 1950s TV.

[@markdodson6453]

I always think something very similar to what you express: this movie plays almost like a thriller, in that it's truly thrilling. Thrilling in an edge-of-you-seat kind of way, but with even more emotional depth. No explosions, car chases, or effects. But thrilling.

[@davidpost428]

These were some of the finest actors of their day. The script, the direction, the camera work, the use of lighting in a black and white film are all remarkable. And what does it deal with? Human nature. I watch every reaction that I can find to this film. Wonderful job!

[@the_nikster1]

love this film! one of my favorite moments is at the end when our protagonist stays behind and helps the angry juror with his jacket. it's such a subtle moment with so much meaning and nuance. not only does it show the kindness and compassion of our protagonist but it also shows growth from our angry juror, that he would accept help during his moment of vulnerability. your reactions are always so on point! thanks! ❤️

[@Tampahop]

This is one of my favorite black and white movies. It's interesting to think that it's just 12 guys talking in a single room for the whole movie. Strong writing and even stronger performances.

[@imocchidoro]

As near perfect as it gets. Awesome actors, and Lee J. Cobb was phenomenal.

[@jean-paulaudette9246]

I love this film, especially as an example to younger audiences, that may think 'old stuff' can't be as relevant or as 'forward thinking' as modern films. Who among us doesn't know someone who voices each of these opinions?

[@TTM9691]

A word about movie "culture" of that period that differs from now: people - especially the young often just went to the movies and saw whatever was playing. Theaters would switch out the movies every week (and in earlier decades, every couple of days!). There would usually be two movies, newsreels, cartoons and other short subjects. You paid your admission and could stay in there all day. So going to the movies and not knowing or remembering what was playing would not be as strange as it is now. You'd pay your admission and you might walk in and a movie was already in progress. They wouldn't kick you out either, you could stay there and watch the same movies over and over again./ Hey, did you recognize the jury foreman? That's Martin Balsam who played the private investigator Arbogast in "Psycho". You'll see that guy pop up in a million movies, always good. / I love this movie; I saw it on TV when I was a kid.....and then it was shown in a high school class, which I was psyched about, having already seen it, lol. That was an easy week, needless to say! :P / Great movie, great reaction! PS: This director, Sidney Lumet, ended up directing some of the best movies of the 70s: "Dog Day Afternoon" and "Network" topping the list. He made great ones in the 60s and the 80s too, but the 70s stuff was killer. This was his first flick. THANKS, CHRIS!

[@CasualNerdReactions]

I would totally go to the movies and see whatever’s playing. I kind of did for a while when I lived by an AMC 😏 I love that this was his first flick. Could have a stronger start to his directorial career!

[@Ozai75]

@@CasualNerdReactions It's where the term "This is where I came in" comes from. People coming into the middle of a film (because there were no set times for movies back then) as a way to leave a situation.

[@andreraymond6860]

@@CasualNerdReactions See Network. Add it to your Patreon poll or something. It's great.

[@kathyastrom1315]

Lumet directed one of my favorite mysteries, Murder on the Orient Express with Albert Finney as Poirot.

[@TTM9691]

@@kathyastrom1315 Absolutely, that's another great one. I think he did "Orient Express", "Dog Day Afternoon" and "Network" all in a row. Three completely different movies! And "Serpico" was before "Orient Express", another good one. Always great acting in his movies!

[@tobluetoblack]

masterpiece is only the start of how to define this cinematic triumph of a movie. I along with so many others can't even begin to talk about the script, camera work, plot progression, twists and turns and exemplary delivery in all twelve performances

[@sharidyer4332]

It is all excellent, and for me, the actors are quite recognizable. That's Henry Fonda who is the first one doubting the guilt of the boy.. But I'm glad someone also mentioned the camera work, which was masterful. Thanks for that, Nathan.

[@themidsouthcyclist8880]

When the last holdout juror (Lee J CObb) broke down, no one reacting to this movie speaks: that's the power of this performance. Thank you for watching a movie you likely would have never watched except for a patreon poll. This is an amazing film that no one will list in their top-10, but will always compel emotions from you.

[@joelok48]

One of the most powerful acting performances ever in this scene. The power of cinema!!!

[@rustincohle2135]

"This is an amazing film that no one will list in their top-10" Says who? Are you aware that it's the fifth highest rated film of all time on IMDb (rated a 9.0/10)? That's a LOT of 10/10 ratings. There has to be quite of few of those voters who have this film in their top 10.

[@themidsouthcyclist8880]

@@rustincohle2135 name one reactor that knows or acknowledges any authoritative list. I remember the days of top-100 movies before IMDB existed, just for reference.

[@ba55bar]

*number 5 on IMDB Top 250 movies

[@Greenwood4727]

then when juror 8 puts the jacket on him, as if so say its alright

[@RemixedVoice]

This film should be mandatory viewing before you serve on a jury duty trial lmao. So damn good

[@DireHammer]

No, it shouldn't. That kid was absolutely guilty.

[@lirpa2300]

No, he wasn't and you obviously missed the whole point of the movie. The case was a subplot, just like the movie Rocky where boxing was the subplot.

[@DireHammer]

@@lirpa2300 I didn't miss the point at all. I know exactly what point they attempted to make. I also get that the sequence of events required for that kid to be innocent are so ridiculous that there is no "reasonable" doubt that he did it. In order for him to be innocent someone would have had to enter their apartment (without forced entry mind you) on the very night he had a major argument with his father. That person would also have to be in possession of the same EXACT knife that the son had recently purchased and happened to lose THAT SAME NIGHT. The knife may not be unique, but it is unusual regardless of whether or not the juror tracked the same kind of knife down at a pawn shop. The killer would also have had to arrived, murdered the father and left within the approximately 2 hours it takes to watch a movie. A movie that the son just finished watching and still couldn't remember. Not remembering a movie from awhile ago isn't the same as not remembering what movie you just finished watching. Having emotional stress wouldn't cause you to forget that, that is some Hollywood bullshit. There is a way less than 1% chance that kid didn't murder his father and in no way is it reasonable doubt. Reasonable doesn't mean it would be possible for the accused to be guilty, it means is it really a reasonable argument that he could be innocent. And it is not reasonable. If juries used the same logic these jurors used nobody would ever be convicted for any crime at all, because you can always make arguments for their innocence if your standard is that it is remotely possible he's innocent. It amazes me when assholes think that when someone disagrees with a premise of a movie it must mean that person is so unbelievably stupid they didn't get the point of a movie where they were shoving the point in your face so obviously a newborn would get it. Yeah, I get the point they were attempting to make. Even very basic level critical thinking shows they failed in the attempt. It's a great movie, one of my favorite golden age films. But it failed in its premise.

[@stefanforrer2573]

@@DireHammer there is plenty of reasonable doubt.... the strongest "evidence" the prosecution had was two quite unreliable eye witnesses.... and as reality has proven, more often then not, even eye witnesses whose reliability hasn't been taken into question proved to be unreliable by cctv or dna evidence... and if you don't understand that a case built solely on witness testimony is standing on very shakey ground, then it's your skill for critical thinking that is severly questionable

[@DireHammer]

@@stefanforrer2573 Eye witness testimony was not they're strongest evidence, you're trying to pull a strawman. Rather than address the points I made, you substituted your own weaker argument for you to discredit. Then you double down by claiming I don't understand that evidence (which YOU presented, not me) is unreliable. Pathetic. The strongest evidence is the murder weapon, which would require an absolutely ridiculous number of coincidences to discredit.

[@Jaasau]

One of the greatest films of all time. Just a masterpiece of film-making. The acting, the story, everything.

[@strongdecaf3729]

The hatred of the poor has been going on a long long long time. Prejudice in the USA was also directed against immigrants who were Jewish, Eastern European, Catholic, etc. Everyone who was not a WASP.

[@davidpost428]

at one time or another, Italians, Irish, Poles, Germans, Japanese, Chinese, Jews, Puerto Ricans, Catholics, Blacks, Latinos...

[@Myrdden71]

Hatred of the rich is as ancient, and still alive and well today in our own country. It goes both ways, sadly.

[@MnemonicHack]

I grew up poor. As in my single mother working two jobs poor. I'm comfortably middle class now. And you know what? The poor can be just as bad as some people think they are. It depends on location and culture, sure some of the most destitute people can be some of the most compassionate. But I've seen poor people pull each other down for trying to climb out of the pit.

[@calvins_hat]

Juror 3 not just acquitting the defendant but also his son, touching moment

[@grindlebone]

This movie is just a murder's row of awesome actors, awesome camera work, awesome dialogue. Damn good film!

[@DylansPen]

I think easily one of the best movies ever made. The cast is a who's who of A list actors, the screenplay is next level, and the story and directing are as well. I sat on two juries and this isn't far from how it really is. Great film, I'm not sure why this isn't on every reactor's must watch list. When you sit on a jury the judge gives instructions before you go to deliberate, you cannot bring all your personal experiences out in the open and discuss them as if they are evidence, you can think them but you can't present them in the jury room because the opposing lawyer has no chance to rebut whatever you say either way. That said there are people who don't understand or care about a judge's instructions and they do it anyway like, "I had a cousin who' or "My nephew was in a car accident" and they'll go into a long story. You couldn't bring the second knife in, you can't even act out evidence as the one guy did in seeing if the old man could make it that far in 15 seconds. You are supposed to go by the evidence presented and only by the evidence presented.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

I noticed a lot of reactors have done it since I started my channel, wish I’d been earlier lol! I agree though, it is a really unique and well made film.

[@DylansPen]

@@CasualNerdReactions No worries I was being a little facetious, it was made in 1957 and if anyone hasn't heard of it or even watches older movies much how would they know about it. But it is certainly a gem waiting to be discovered and it makes for a very good film to react to.

[@ralphficker167]

Dylan, I agree with you that it's a great film, for all the reasons you mentioned. As for why it isn't more popular with reactors: - It's in B&W, - There's very little physical action, - It makes us feel tense, claustrophobic, and generally uncomfortable, - And most unforgivable of all...it requires us to THINK. It's a movie that makes serious demands on the audience. If we meet those demands, we get rewarded hugely.

[@davidpost428]

@@CasualNerdReactions Nothing to apologize for. It's not a race. Black and white Classic films are among the best. Have you seen "Casablanca" or "The Third Man" or "Citizen Kane" or "African Queen"? All top drawer.

[@davidpost428]

@@ralphficker167 sad if so, and it likely is.

[@bryanCJC2105]

This is one those great movies. I want to bring up an important point that ties in to what you mentioned at the beginning about conduct. This movie is from a time when the real man, a mature man, is often portrayed as wise, thinking, considerate, courteous, and respectful. In being this way, he gains respect without using force, threats, or bravado, only his thoughtful deliberate words. In this movie, you clearly see that. In fact, the loud, bullying, and vulgar men are seen as childish and immature, the worst kind of man. This was common in movies and TV shows of the 40s, 50s, and 60's and began to change in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Today, we see man-boys in movies and on TV most often. I believe what is important about this is the example it shows to young boys and young men about who is worthy of emulating.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

That’s an excellent point. Many times the protagonists are tough and prove their bravado through force, attitude, women or they are a constant stream of jokes. Quite the contrast compared to this film.

[@markdodson6453]

Wow. What a great observation. The difference between the protagonist in 12 Angry Men and the current, festering idea that masculinity equals violence. It's why this movie is so compelling today.

[@leswhynin913]

Societal values may have changed for the worse

[@4c3fr3h1y]

I think the biggest thing is, to vote not guilty doesnt require absolute certainty, while a guilty verdict does. the general idea behind the principle of reasonable doubt is that it's better to let a guilty person walk free than to imprison an innocent one.

[@EastPeakSlim]

The director, Sidney Lumet, used the claustrophobia of the Jurors Room to great advantage. The first third of the movie is shot above eye-level, the middle third at eye-level, the final third below eye-level. One can see the ceiling appearing in those last-third shots. Using black and white also adds to the closed in feel.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

That’s so great! Incredibly effective use of the camera.

[@peterramsay4674]

The last big scene was so well done. This script is flawless. A character study in not only the accused but of the jurors themselves. And in the big picture this film is pointing out how incredibly difficult it is to have a completely fair trial. It depends on who the judge is. The lawyer if he is competent or not. The jurors as well. Are there open minded jurors ? And even what the politics of the State the reside in. That is why I don’t advocate the death penalty. Not because some might deserve that and more. No. Because too many innocent people are executed . I’ll say this. This is the best screenwriting I’ve ever seen. In a setting like this the dialogue and the acting have to be great or it won’t work. And this is great. Every single actor did a great job. Especially Lee J Cobb. The man’s a legend. Like Al Pacino. A Baird man. You know what I’m talking about.

[@stillaboveground2470]

Juror #7: "You a Yankee fan?" Juror #5: "No, Baltimore." Juror #7: "Baltimore? That's like being hit in the head with a crowbar once a day." (As an Orioles fan, I sadly have to agree with this exchange.)

[@BigSleepyOx]

19:17 - You have to remember that this was at a time when people didn't necessarily go to a theater to see a particular movie, they often instead just "went to the movies", not knowing what movies they'd actually see until they got there. So when they got there, they'd watch a couple news reels, a couple cartoons, maybe an episode of a serial show (like a western or whatever) , then a couple movies. So "going to the movies" was often more like today's "TV", where you might watch a some shows but not know or remember later the names of the shows or the names of the actors.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Very good point!

[@wickedwoodgaming1486]

Man, I have a hard time believing that someone who is big on movies, hasn't seen 12 angry men. Its a masterpiece in every way. The kind of movie they show in schools.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

No doubt it has been shown and is still in some schools, I bounced around a lot between public, private and homeschool so if they did I missed it. My family didn’t watch movies growing up either so thankfully I’ve now seen it!

[@chriscma1]

It's so easy to see how 12 Angry Men is consistently ranked as one of the greatest movies ever made.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

It really is!

[@Myrdden71]

One room, no background music, just dialogue and great acting. Amazing what Hollywood could produce long ago. Such little evidence today that it still can.

[@thunderstruck5484]

All those veteran actors played their parts perfectly, such great screenplay directing and acting, Lee J Cobb really gets the emotions going at the end , and Ed Begley looks like someone they pulled off the streets, so great this film never gets old and cannot be remade or duplicated, thanks again I’m loving your brilliant reaction choices !

[@gibsongirl2100]

Everyone was stellar in the movie, but Lee J. Cobb's performance was so powerful. I started out wanting to put a muzzle on him and at the end, as he's realizing his rage was born from heartache he couldn't express, I actually felt sorry for him - great performance!

[@goodowner5000]

Ed Begley would win his Best Supporting Actor Oscar 5 years later in '62 , for Tennessee Williams' "Sweet Bird Of Youth".

[@lordrahl2345]

1st saw this in English class as a freshman in highschool. Love it. I love Movies that rely strictly on dialogue. Great reaction. Keep up the great work.

[@fridayplus]

One of my favs. Great reaction. Powerful film, acting, writing. STILL holds up today. Great classics always do.

[@captainkangaroo4301]

Notice how Henry Fonda helps Lee J Cobb put his jacket on at the end. After all the emotion this was a magnanimous gesture and a wonderful touch.

[@tomerisraeli3521]

I love that the nastiest juror in movie history is played by the father of the guy playing the nicest lawyer in television. (Juror #10 is the father of Cliff Maine from Better Call Saul).

[@williamjamesayers7719]

The cast is phenomenal. I like Juror #3(Lee J. Cobb) as he gave one of the most finest performances.

[@glennlesliedance]

Last September I played Juror 4 (the one in glasses) in a local production of the stage version. The audience really connected with it; still, after more than 60 years. It really is revelatory of human nature.

[@innercircle341]

Great job!! one of my all time favourite films. Glad you loved it. this channel is rocking it!

[@jnagarya519]

The actor who wants to "talk about" the case is Henry Fonda, who also produced. The juror who grew up in the slums is Jack Klugman.

[@deckofcards87]

Another classic "morality tale" movie worth checking out, and which also has Henry Fonda in it coincidentally, is *The Ox-Bow Incident.* He was in lots of great movies in the 40s and 50s and practically disappeared into every role he did. Amazing actor.

[@sharidyer4332]

I saw the Ox-Bow Incident while in junior high school It shook me to the core, and I never forgot the statement it made. I'm 72 now.

[@BarryHart-xo1oy]

Very true.

[@docsavage8640]

Such a great script. Dramatic, educational, and believable.

[@patrick17_6]

21:42 my fav line which I can't seem to forget

[@pravusprime]

When I first saw this I was amazed. This should be required viewing and discussed as part of a module in High Schools.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

I completely agree! A shame I wasn’t made to watch this in school.

[@mytruepower2]

11:16 I call that "engaging with the positions of others." You don't talk over people's points, you ask them what they have to say, examine what they have to say, ask further questions for clarification, to avoid misunderstanding them, then raise any issues that you may have noticed afterwards. Not everyone appreciates engagement, but you really do get the most out of discussions this way, and if, at the end of it all, someone is just being stubborn or belligerent, at least you know it wasn't because you misunderstood them.

[@trevertravis8963]

I think juror #7 really did start to believe the kid was innocent, but he is just too stubborn to admit he was wrong.

[@jazzmaan707]

Lee J Cobb, the last juror, in my opinion, played an excellent part. I hated him, which was what his part demanded, until the last, when he broke down, in a touching moment. Excellent acting from every one in that room.

[@fday1964]

A subtle technique to create a sense of claustrophobia was that the film depth changes as the film progresses.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

It was certainly effective!

[@daveautzen9089]

Great reaction to an excellent film. First time I saw this film, the story gripped me. Multiple viewings seem to always show me something new. In your reaction, you commented on the jurors that were playing tic tac toe. I had somehow missed that until now!

[@002DrEvil]

Henry Fonda was one of the best actors ever. Eventually after a 40+ year career he won the Oscar for Best Actor.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

I’m so glad he eventually won! He was great in this and I look forward to seeing more of him.

[@JohnSipe-jt7bm]

Fonda worked with Lumet in Fail-Safe, which also featured Edward Binns (#6). 4:18

[@GrumpyOldGuyPlaysGames]

This is one of my favorite films of all time. I've watched it... jeez. Once a week for the last 30 years? I'm serious. I watched it yesterday. I'm planning on watching it again next Wednesday. It is a classroom on how to direct a tight, well-acted drama. I can't remember who said it, but someone said, "Most people aren't listening, they are just waiting for their turn."

[@nightfall902]

“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to respond.”

[@GrumpyOldGuyPlaysGames]

@@nightfall902 That's the quote! Thanks!

[@bad-people6510]

It's very frustrating having recently watched tens of thousands of people pre-judge the guilt of a teenage boy without even knowing the facts of the case, and then actually getting upset when he's found not guilty.

[@steved1135]

Dang Chris... two in a row. This movie is amazing. Not only for the acting and the message but, the cinematography. It's almost a one room setting, and the camera creeps in tight as the movie progresses. Love how classics do so much with so little.

[@TheInfo45]

Absolutely one of my favorite films of all time. Agree with you about if people listen to more things will be better off. One of my favorite sayings is learn to listen without defending and speak without offending

[@shainewhite2781]

Nominated for 3 Oscars Best Picture Best Director Best Adapted Screenplay. All 3 went to the World War II epic The Bridge On The River Kwai.

[@pnutbutrncrackers]

Brilliant stuff. A masterpiece, and happening almost entirely in one cramped room. Massive respect.

[@MajorDenisBloodnok]

Henry Fonda was one of best American actor. He was extremely charismatic and elegant. He was able to play in every genre : Westerns classicals or Italian (My Darling Clementine, Fort Apache, Warlock, Once upon a time in the West, My Name is Nobody...), comedies (The Lady Eve, Yours, Mine and Ours...), social and political dramas (The Grapes of wrath, The Best Man, Fail-Safe...), thrillers (The Strangler of Boston, Madigan...). He underplayed which was not a very common style at this time but it is still relevant today.

[@annaolson4828]

If you're looking for another courtroom drama, Inherit the Wind is very, very good. It's based on the real-life Scopes Monkey Trial.

[@hunterhuiet2785]

12 Angry Men is a CLASSIC! I even enjoyed the 1997 remake that had Jack Lemmon, George C. Scott, William Petersen, James Gandolfini, Edward James Olmos, Ossie Davis, Mykelti Williams, Tony Danza, and more. You have not seen the 1997 remake, I totally recommend it. 1997 version was released on Blu-ray for the first time back on this past Tuesday.

[@Decrepit_Productions]

I can refute one point: wearing glasses to/in bed. I do so every night, reading until I nod off. If I don't read to keep my mind focused, it tends to wander all over the place, preventing me from falling asleep. I wake some time late, remove my glasses and turn off the light, then can fall back asleep with relative ease. Maybe I'm an exception, but exceptions do occur. Still, enough 'evidence' was brought into question here to fully justify a vote of not guilty. They weren't claiming the defendant was 'innocent', only there was reason to question his guilt. A truly excellent movie!

[@couch.patati-patata]

All the dear people in that room are no longer with us but they still make us think.

[@okay5045]

The majority of the movie in one room makes it intense.

[@MrDavidcairns]

CASABLANCA wasn't a B-movie. I think it was originally planned as a smaller film, with maybe Ronald Reagan in the lead, but the film that got made was no second feature. Great reaction, though! Such a good movie. If you want to see another by this director, DOG DAY AFTERNOON is amazing too.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Ooh people be lying. The only reason I even knew B movies were a thing as because of comments on Casablanca 🤣 cool I’ll look into dog day afternoon.

[@MrDavidcairns]

@@CasualNerdReactions In fairness, it can be hard to be sure what was an A and what was a B, they weren't really official categories. Sidney Lumet had a loooong career, starting in TV, then this as his first feature, and going all the way to Before the Devil Knows Your Dead with Philip Seymour Hoffman in 2007, made when he was 83.

[@tfpp1]

I like how you were convinced in "real-time" along with juror #4 (glasses, "doesn't sweat" guy). It's like YOU were there in the moment too, needing to be convinced for yourself. I thought your own journey was super neat. Love this movie, thanks for reacting to it!

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Thanks! I didn’t think of it in those terms, but I try (as best I can) to experience what the filmmakers intend. This was a particularly interesting experience.

[@tfpp1]

@@CasualNerdReactions Whether it was intentional or not, it was still cool. You would chime in every so often saying why certain pieces of evidence were compelling or not, and how you were still not 100% convinced or whatever. Regardless, you do you, I enjoyed it. Keep it up!

[@misseva7404]

You have such vibrant takes on classic films. I would absolutely love to see you check out more '40s/'50s/maybe a little '60s work. Great job.

[@gy7694]

I watched this on TV randomly one Saturday when I was about 12 or 13. You know it's a well made movie when it's black and white and set in one room and yet can hold the attention of a kid!

[@falcon215]

Amazing performances all around, even the ten seconds showing the face of the defendant still gets me but Lee J. Cobb was outstanding. Even subtle nuances like the way Henry Fonda's character doesn't look him in the eye when helping him put on his coat at the end is a small sign of compassion.

[@johnbooth6477]

This is one case in which I love both versions. Unlike other movies, they did a good job with the remake.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

One day I’ll watch it (probably not for the channel) because it’s always enjoyable to compare and I don’t mind watching the same concept again in a different time.

[@JeffersonMills]

10:45 “Do we have to listen to this?!” Chris: “Yes, you literally do.” Exactly! Great reaction to a timeless classic. Side notes: Jack Klugman, the juror who had lived in slums and knew about knife-fighting, went on to star in “Quincy,” where he solved murders each week as a medical examiner. Jack Warden, who played the baseball ticket-holder, later played the judge in another excellent courtroom drama, “…And Justice For All,” starring Al Pacino.

[@jayarr961]

The acting is so good. The twelve men are twelve very different people and personalities. Probably most of us know someone who is similar to each of them.

[@Serai3]

This was originally a stage play (obviously). There was another version filmed in the late 90's, with Jack Lemmon in the Henry Fonda role. It was very good, adjusted a bit for the later time but not much, and with a cast of amazing actors just like this one. I'd really love to see the play on the stage, myself. It would be incredibly relevant now, as it's been relevant all along through the years since the play was first performed.

[@rickardroach9075]

I’ve seen the stage play. It’s quite tricky to block as there’s just a table with half the actors potentially with their backs to the audience (although I have heard of a production which incorporated a turntable that slowly rotated as the vote changed).

[@corneliusquincydavenportic1913]

@@rickardroach9075 that turning table sounds genius

[@rustincohle2135]

This was NOT originally a stage play. It became a stage play AFTER the success of the film. This film was a screen adaptation of an episode of the anthology series "Westinghouse Studio One", the episode was entitled "12 Angry Men". Each episode of this series was a self-contained story (basically a TV movie), they were basically plays shot in a studio (with no audience) and then aired on television. So, it was NOT a stage play first. Do your research first and stop spreading this misinformation.

[@letsgowinnietheflu5439]

one of my top 10 all time favorites. Took me 15 years to get my wife to sit down and watch it with me (she hate black and white movies) she loved it.

[@Progger11]

My third-favorite movie of all time. A masterpiece.

[@sloot69x]

Its a love letter to Democracy and the jury system brilliantly written,directed and acted.

[@docsavage8640]

False. It has nothing to do with democracy. Democracy would have been: 11 to 1, kid goes to the electric chair due to majority rule. That's why our criminal justice system is deliberately antidemocratic.

[@danieldoesdumbstuff]

This reaction earned my subscription my freind. Incredible.

[@billverno6170]

Couple of things. This was originally a television play, NOT a stage play. It was adapted for the stage after the success of the movie. Anyone who has experienced the show on stage knows the difficulty in staging a show where 12 characters should be sitting around a table - a bunch of them are going to have their backs to the audience or be blocking each other. You have to get creative. But it works so well on tv or film because the camera can move around. The other thing has to do with the jury. When I was on a murder trial jury the judge told us that we were to ONLY consider the evidence and the testimony presented during the trial. When juror 8 pulls out that duplicate knife he is essentially presenting evidence that was not part of the trial. The judge and the lawyers should have been notified with the judge ruling on whether it was a mistrial.

[@RocketRoketto]

Fun fact: the meek juror with the pitchy voice and glasses is the original voice of Piglet from winnie the pooh,

[@jlinkous05]

Twelve Angry Men was shown twice in my school in civics class. We learned more about how society works in one short film than we did across every lecture from the books. Excellent movie!

[@CasualNerdReactions]

I love that! I’m sure it is still shown in some classrooms.

[@sandralorenz1796]

Nobody in that room is more bored than the judge. This film was filmed in sequence, which films rarely are.

[@jamesdrynan]

Twelve men in a room talking for an hour and a half? Sounds boring until you see these phenomenal actors working with a superb script. Riveting from start to finish. A classic!

[@pkrmkn31]

henry fonda is one of the best actors of all time and this is one of the greatest performances

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

There are several different versions of this movie, one earlier and several later on, but this one is the best in my opinion. I think it's great that we never really KNOW if the boy is guilty or not because that's ultimately not the issue: Is there reasonable doubt? Yes. And that's all there needs to be for a not guilty verdict. And the fact that 99% of the movie takes place in one room just lends to the pressure. First time he pulls out his own knife and sticks it in the table next to the other one my jaw hit the floor.

[@TequilaToothpick]

You sure there's an earlier version?

[@emilyelizabethbuchanan998]

@@TequilaToothpick It was a teleplay.

[@davidchalk8883]

We do know that the boy was not guilty of pre meditated murder. The prosecution case was that the killing was a reaction to being repeatedly hit. We don't know if he killed his father.

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

@@davidchalk8883 Correct. We don't actually find out if he actually killed his father or not. The point that Henry Fonda's character is making is that, because this is a human being's life we're talking about, we should look at every possible avenue to ascertain the truth before rendering a guilty verdict on a possibly innocent person.

[@rickardroach9075]

Funnily enough, I’m currently playing a Junior Counsel in a play by Jeffrey Archer called _Beyond Reasonable Doubt._

[@sprayarm]

Head juror is also Arbogast the private investigator from Psycho.

[@williamjamesayers7719]

12 Angry Men and Casablanca(my #1 all time favorite movie) are in my top 10 films of all time. Very interesting reaction too.

[@betsyduane3461]

Casablanca was an A-list film, never a 2nd feature. Won the Oscar for Best Picture.

[@shallendor]

This is the best 1 room movie of all time! Great cast and great writing!

[@tachiebillano6244]

I just watched this movie a few days ago. Had the same reactions. This film is marvelous! And oh so relevant today as it was then.

[@cathykent8866]

All of these men are seasoned actors

[@ZeroOskul]

11:17 A person who does not understand the argument from opposition does not and cannot understand their own argument against it.

[@captainkangaroo4301]

A masterpiece of film making and acting.

[@jamesdulak3108]

"Seems very prejudiced against kids" lmao

[@Serai3]

"I'm entitled to my opinion." "NO, sir. You're entitled to an INFORMED opinion. Nobody is entitled to be ignorant." -- Harlan Ellison

[@CasualNerdReactions]

That is a fantastic quote!

[@masudashizue777]

It's easy to poke holes in a case. A fool can ask more questions than a wise man can answer.

[@craigplatel813]

One thing the director did was to move the walls in closer as the movie went on to increase the tension

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Such a great technique. Very effective.

[@Kunsoo1024]

Some background - The actors were all paid the same - $900 per day (which even for the day wasn't all that much for their work). This says a lot about the character of the big names, who also did the most work. They were Henry Fonda (Juror number 8), Lee Cobb (Juror number 3, who really carried the movie I think), Jack Ward (Juror number 7), and Ed Begley (Juror number 10 - who was very much outspoken against bigotry in real life!). This movie kick-started a bunch of the others' careers. Lee Cobb had just been put through the ringer having fought the House UnAmerican Activities Committee and channeled his anger through this character. The Czechoslovakian actor who played Juror number 11 - can't remember his name at the moment - had fled his country shortly after the Prague agreement allowing Hitler to claim his country. He had run a theater troupe which had taken up anti-fascist plays. He returned after the war, but when the Soviet-imposed censorship came down he said, "I can't go through this again" and returned to the U.S. permanently, to our benefit.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

This was great information, thank you Eric.

[@jstube36]

This film was a comment on the times. In the late 50's many prejudices were being challenged. The growing Civil Rights movements was beginning to change minds. Other held traditions about class, standing, even religion were being challenged. The scene where the other jurors turned on the racist old-man, colored the current attitudes. The saying of "don't judge a book by it's cover" is a theme in 12 Angry Men. Of course Hollywood was still knee-deep in portrayals of minorities and peoples of color at the time. Perhaps this film was a protest of sorts about the stereotyping in film and TV

[@petek2832]

This is such an interesting study in human behavior. This movie is so well written and so well acted. To be this good, shot basically in one room. You can feel the tension at times. The pacing is good, the timing is good. The acting is great. They cast this very well. Lee J. Cobb is fantastic. I love everything about this movie. I would love to see a live stage-acted version of this.

[@captainkangaroo4301]

Everyone of these actors were giants of their time.

[@bigjoeofthe707]

Check out the 1997 remake. All star cast that has Jack Lemmon as Juror 8, Mykelti Williamson as 10 (they changed him from a racist white guy to a racist black guy who was kicked out of the Nation of Islam), James Gandolfini (Tony Soprano himself) as 6, Edward James Olmos as 11, Tony Danza as 8, Courtney B. Vance as the foreman, George C. Scott as 3, Amin Mueller-Stahl as 4, Dorian Harewood as 5, Ossie Davis as 2, Hume Cronynas 7, and William Petersen as 12. Updated to match the times in the 90’s. Movie is currently available on here for free (with ads of course)

[@johnlarro6872]

I sat on a jury for a murder trial in 2004. I'd seen this movie one Sunday afternoon not that long before. I must admit - sitting around that table - I was asking every question of the other jurors that I could think of - not because I thought the guy was innocent, but because I wanted everyone to seriously consider the evidence we were given, with this movie in my mind. (Guilty, life in prison, btw.)

[@kirkdarling4120]

Same with me. On that jury, I was essentially the EG Marshall character (Juror 4), the one in the suit with glasses. I stood on logic...and had the same moment of realizing that I needed to change my mind.

[@tonyhelton2788]

P.S. I have watched this movie so many times I have lost count. I have watched it three or four more just in the last few months. My favorite part is where the old fellow ask the guy about wearing his glasses and the marks they make.....that 5 minutes of the movie will make you absolutely spellbound.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Spellbound is absolutely the best descriptor for that scene.

[@AnnaB22]

You are missing out on so much by not watching some of the greats - 12 Angry Men, All About Eve, The Women, His Girl Friday, Arsenic and Old Lace, Penny Serenade, The Heiress, Double Indemnity, Mildred Pierce, Suspicion, Laura, The Strange Love of Martha Ivers, All Mine To Give, Wuthering Heights, Jezebel, Little Lord Fauntleroy, She Done Him Wrong, The Fighting Sullivans, Ben Hur, The Robe, The Ten Commandments, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Goodbye Mr. Chips, The Bad Seed, The King and I, Gigi, Rebel Without A Cause, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, The Long Hot Summer, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Oklahoma, Roman Holiday, A Place In The Sun, East Of Eden, Harvey, The Bad Seed, A Streetcar Named Desire, Guys And Dolls, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The Seven Year Itch, How To Marry A Millionaire, Bus Stop, Tea & Sympathy, Some Like It Hot, Giant, Strangers On A Train, Imitation Of Life, Citizen Kane, The Magnificent Ambersons, West Side Story, Camelot, The Birds, The Greatest Story Ever Told, Romeo and Juliet, Hello Dolly, The Sound of Music, Bye Bye Birdie, The Miracle Worker, Cleopatra, Anne of A Thousand Days, The Agony and The Ecstasy, A Patch of Blue, To Sir With Love, Star Wars, The GodFather, The Sting, The Way We Were, The Main Event, Mahogany, The Omen, Jaws, Close Encounters of The Third Kind, The Exorcist, Jaws, Carrie, Rocky, Grease, Tommy, Time After Time, Sparkle, and Splendor In The Grass. Please give them a chance, this is when you had to rely on acting and dialogue because you didn't have special effects to rely on. Amazing films.