I was recommended this film as one of only a handful of films that adequately depicts real-life courtroom "skirmishes". Though the film rarely deviates from actual criminal procedures, the excellent screenplay and direction still delivers a fantastic, attention-grabbing thriller. The acting is superb (how could it be otherwise with exellent and hardworking Jimmy Stewart headlining) and the movie's pace keeps you vitally interested. This is one of my favorite movies.

Be careful. This is a digital item that one must download to view. I thought it was a DVD and ordered it. Now Amazon has no way to cancel or return this item so I'm just out $9.99. I should have looked closer but am so used to ordering DVDs that I didn't notice. Also, in the past Amazon's cancel or return features have been friendly and effective. On this digital item they are non-existent.

Hollywood's most distinguished actor (let the record speak for itself) listed this and "It's a Wonderful Life" as his two favorite films. That comment really made me take notice, especially after considering Mr. Smith, Vertigo, Rear Window, Philadelphia Story, etc., etc. And I think he may be right. His character is a more mature, moderated version of George Bailey, but the role is especially challenging because the parameters of belief and subsequent disillusion must be so much more contained. Add to Stewart's performance the others by this perfect cast, along with a steady directing hand but the often erratic Preminger and Duke Ellington's best movie score, and the result is the ultimate courtroom drama--not to mention a great movie.

The USA DVD has been panned and scanned to approximately 1.33:1 from what IMDb says is an original aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Although the German PAL version claims to have the correct aspect ratio, customers on German Amazon have complained that it has been chopped to 1.33:1 there, too, despite what is stated on the packaging and on the Amazon Web site. The only version which seems to be close to authentic is the British PAL version at 1.78:1, available through Amazon.co.uk.

Anatomy of a Murder is an interesting period piece, however I was stunned to learn that the period in question was 1959. The sexist attitudes in the film literally made me feel ill. The most stunning moment is when the entire courtroom brakes into full-throated laughter at the mention of the "panties" that are missing evidence in the alleged rape.This movie does not stand the test of time. It seems like an overly long endorsement of those ancient falsehoods that good women don't get raped and bad women lie about it. Beyond that, the courtroom antics are a bit over the top and the judge unbelievabley lenient about it all.

Well-acted (but almost THREE hour) drama about a attorney who takes the case of man who has killed his wife's rapist. Or was she really raped? Or did the husband really not remember the circumstances surrounding the shooting? Or did it matter? The writing was too much over the top with Jimmy Stewart and George C. Scott trading barbs over what would be allowed in the trial....The part at the end about Mary the hostess was pretty darn unlikely to say the least, so only two stars for the huge insult to viewer's intelligence.