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Witness for the Prosecution
CAST & DIRECTOR
Directed by Billy Wilder. With Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, Charles Laughton.
8.2/10
MOVIHERO RATINGWHAT IT'S ABOUT
An ailing barrister is thrust back into the courtroom in what becomes one of the most unusual and eventful murder cases of the lawyer's career when he finds himself defending a man being tried for the murder of a socialite.
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8.2/10
MOVIHERO RATINGYOUR WATCHLISTAn ailing barrister is thrust back into the courtroom in what becomes one of the most unusual and eventful murder cases of the lawyer's career when he finds himself de…
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RELEASE SNAPSHOT
Release snapshot for Witness for the Prosecution.
MoviHero lists December 17, 1957 as the release date for Witness for the Prosecution. Billy Wilder is the listed director. The listed cast includes Tyrone Power as Leonard Vole, Marlene Dietrich as Christine, Charles Laughton as Sir Wilfrid, Elsa Lanchester as Miss Plimsoll. A trailer and 5 stills are available on this page.
Release dateDecember 17, 1957
GenresDrama · Crime · Mystery
Runtime1h 56m
DirectorBilly Wilder
CastTyrone Power as Leonard Vole, Marlene Dietrich as Christine, Charles Laughton as Sir Wilfrid, Elsa Lanchester as Miss Plimsoll
TrailerAvailable on this page
Images5 stills
BEFORE YOU PRESS PLAY
Is Witness for the Prosecution right for tonight?
Pacing, attention and emotional impact are estimates from the current MoviHero Watch Profile, not verified scene-by-scene reviews.
How much time should I set aside?
Witness for the Prosecution runs 1h 56m. Allow extra time for breaks.
Is it slow or fast?
The current MoviHero pacing estimate is 4/10: a more patient pace.
Is it a good choice when I am tired?
The attention estimate is 6/10. Expect to follow the story rather than use it as background viewing.
How emotionally intense is it?
The emotional-impact estimate is 6/10, suggesting a moderate emotional load. This does not tell you whether the ending is happy or sad.
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MOVIE RATING
MoviHero Rating
MoviHero Rating: 8.2/10 from 1,816 votes. Updated Nov 12, 2026.
Rating data supplied by TMDB, shown on a 10-point scale. MoviHero audience ratings are calculated separately from scores submitted here.
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WHAT WATCHING IT FEELS LIKE
Watch Profile
Seven estimates of the viewing experience, based on the stored Watch Profile. These are separate from the movie rating and are not verified scene-by-scene assessments.
Pacing4/10
Emotional Impact6/10
Mind-Bending5/10
Scary1/10
Violence6/10
Rewatchability6/10
Attention Required6/10
VIEWER REVIEWS
What viewers say about Witness for the Prosecution
Selected viewer reactions, in their own words. These excerpts reflect individual opinions, not an overall verdict.
Viewer reaction
“Great thriller with superb classical interpretations. The plot moves sometimes too lazily.”
Viewer reaction
“Why don't they make THESE movies anymore? Apart from being a GREAT courtroom drama(which some people don't think this movie is), this movie is so…”
Viewer reaction
“I'm constantly surprised that women's hats don't provoke more murders.”
More reactions (2)
Viewer reaction
“I might be asking for trouble here, but did Charles Laughton ever actually make a bad film?”
Viewer reaction
“Billy Wilder’s Fascinating Scrutiny This may well be the most definitive masterpiece directed by the genius Billy Wilder, which is already saying volumes.”
Selected review excerpts supplied by TMDB. Opinions belong to their original authors.
WORDS THAT STAY WITH YOU
Memorable lines
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“He certainly was a lucky lawyer.”
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“What are you looking for?”
A CLOSER LOOK
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CAST & CREW
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CHARACTERS IN THIS MOVIE
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PART OF A WATCH JOURNEY
Where Witness for the Prosecution fits.
SIMILAR GENRES & STORY THEMES
Keep the night going.
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