The 7 Twists of Witness for the Prosecution | A Video Essay

[@tfe1788]

3:51 There is a theory that goes for why she didn’t get a nomination and get the win she deserves. The film was so popular at the time and people were concealing the ending and if they were to give the Oscar to Marlene her two-roles in the film would’ve been revealed, spoiling the film. Theories say Marlene herself knew about this, but I’d like to think she should’ve at least got a nomination.

[@isaiahwilliams2642]

My favorite bit I noticed on rewatch is at the end when (spoilers) Christine is angry at Leonard for abandoning her, Robarts is fidling with his monocle, the same one he used to interrogate Leo earlier in the film with the light reflecting off of it. Then during this squabble, the light reflects off of the monocle, hitting the knife on the table, bringing it to Christine's attention. That is such a deeply well thought out bit of reincorporation. The Lubitsch touch in full glory. This film is such an underrated gem. Whenever Billy Wilder comes up in conversation, almost everyone jumps on "The Apartment" or "Some Like ot Hot." Understandable, they are masterpieces, the former being my favorite film ever. But "Witness for the Prosecution" is a just so rich in it's storytelling and how it puts pieces in place. You can see a lot of the influence this had over Rian Johnson on "Knives Out" and "Glass Onion." The tight witty dialogue that adds necessary character bits, little jokes and background gags that you think are throw aways but actually come back into play, and the way every piece comes together in a satisfying way for an amazing finale.

[@maplestreetmovies]

Wow, I never even noticed the monocle touch, that is genius! And just another reason I love this dang movie. You described it perfectly. Thanks for watching!

[@Thatsawrap.2010]

This movie is so amazing! I’ve only seen it once but it’s due for a rewatch.Honestly,I’m surprised it’s not on the criterion collection.

[@maplestreetmovies]

Right?! It’s way overdue!!

[@richardw3470]

Another twist: Marlene D played herself. A seemingly unfeeling Prussian who does a complete turnaround to a passionate, spur-of-the-moment woman whose love is now free.

[@cinema.inspired]

A fantastic film! One of my favourite Billy Wilder films. Such fantastic performances with an amazing story and great story.

[@madhattr031]

Really good video for a really good movie. Thanks for posting.

[@maplestreetmovies]

Thank you for watching!! 🥹

[@skyeslaton3435]

I love this movie top 5 courtroom drama

[@maplestreetmovies]

Amen!! It’s so good!!

[@professorpyg505]

Share other 4

[@nostalgianerds9841]

I can't believe i've been following Nathan for three years now, the videos keep getting better and better.

[@maplestreetmovies]

That is so kind, thank you!!

[@musicteacher5757]

Thank you for your essay. I had read the story and watched the movie years ago. One of the few times I like the movie better than the story, and considering the story is so good, that's high praise.

[@dankurth4232]

Brilliant analysis! Nothing to add

[@maplestreetmovies]

Thank you!!

[@whenthepicturesgotbigger]

I haven't seen this one yet and so I'm avoiding spoilers, but it's nice to see a video done in honor of Billy Wilder's birthday! Where does this rank for you among his films?

[@maplestreetmovies]

Highly recommend this one! I mention when spoilers come in the video if you wanna watch till then. I have a ranking for wilder’s movies ranked at the end of this one, but spoiler alert, this one is my favorite 👀🥹

[@kenanderson9673]

I’ve read that Wilder didn’t push for a nomination for Marlene because he didn’t want spoilers. 🤷‍♀️

[@maplestreetmovies]

Interesting!

[@contractmed1]

Another great courtroom drama with Marlene Dietrich is "Judgement at Nuremberg" if you haven't seen it already.

[@maplestreetmovies]

I have! I want to rewatch someday though. I don't remember it too well.

[@philpaine3068]

@@maplestreetmovies Dietrich is good, but there's a fantastic performance by Montgomery Clift in it ---- really, really impressive. And another bit, seemingly unimportant, but actually providing a fine counterpoint, by, of all people, a young William Shatner. The film is full of brief but impactful secondary roles. Burt Lancaster's would have been outstanding if it hadn't been outshined by Clift's. All the actors were at their best. Spencer Tracy, Richard Widmark, Maximilian Schell, Werner Klemperer, Marlene Dietrich, Judy Garland!! But they are all such pros that you don't experience it as a parade of celebrity cameos. Everyone is there for a good reason.

[@DavidJackson-x6b]

It is made more poingnant by the fact that this was a capital case. I was hoping the defendant was innocent so that he would not face the hang man's noose

[@loge10]

I enjoy this movie as entertainment, although it's definitely not my favorite Billy Wilder. I love Charles and Elsa and the other cast (I always love Ian Wolfe) but I find Tyrone Power irritating as hell. Artificial from the start that I don't see how anybody can buy him. I don't think he's likable at all. I don't know if it's bad acting or that's what the character is supposed to be.

[@maplestreetmovies]

Well call me crazy, but I totally bought his performance!

[@Sebastian-lw5qb]

Twist one through five actually originated from Christie. One to three from the short story and four and five, when Christie developed the short story into the stage play. Not to take anything away from Wilder, but he had some great source material here.

[@58christiansful]

NB The Wilder script is much better than the play itself. Much wittier and snappier. Read and compare.