12 Angry Men | 
 enlarge | Director: William Friedkin
Actors: Courtney B. Vance, Ossie Davis, George C. Scott, Armin Mueller-stahl, Dorian Harewood
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Category: Video
Buy New: $12.99
New (3) Used (5) Collectible (1) from $12.95
Rating:  42 reviews
Sales Rank: 15
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Original Recording Reissued, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 117 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 0792847482
UPC: 027616854247
EAN: 9780792847489
ASIN: B00004Y86Z
Theatrical Release Date: August 17, 1997
Release Date: November 7, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: ABSOLUTELY BRAND NEW FACTORY SEALED VHS FAST SHIPPING FRIENDLY CUSTOMER SERVICE
| |
| Similar Items:
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 37 more reviews...
 Decent remake January 18, 2008
fra7299 (California, United States)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I have to agree with many of the other reviewers who give the nod to the original version over this remake, but, all in all, it still is a decent film that is a study of the justice system. While not as in depth as the original, this is a worthy remake.
When a young man is on trial for murder, it is up to a jury of twelve men from different ethnicities and backgrounds to decide his fate. When one juror (Jack Lemmon) boldly takes the stance that he believes the man is not guilty, it sets off fireworks and arguments in the jury room. Each man is given their chance to defend their stance, and, as they fight over whether the young man killed a person, some begin to see the errors of their judgment. Highlighted by an all-star cast, there are many well-known actors who are members of the jury, including Tony Danza, George C. Scott, and Edward James Olmos.
The film's subject probably relates to anyone who has had to serve on a jury, and knows the personality clashes that exist within the jury room. What I like about this film is that is really speaks to the idea that one person can have a huge impact in the court of law or in any part of life if they continue to trust their instincts or beliefs. Juror 8 doesn't waver in this regard. Another poignant aspect of the film is the idea of what is fair as far as the jury system goes. As depicted in the film, a few of the jury clearly just wants to "get the case over with" so they can go on with their regular lives. Perhaps one of the subtle messages evoked from 12 Angry Men is that maybe there are flaws in the jury system that need to be addressed.
Twelve Angry Men relies much on dialogue to create suspense (rather than action), and for the fact that they are able to capture it (in this version and in the original), I commend it. Almost the entire film takes place in the jury room with the jurors. If you need big explosions, drive-by shootings, or dramatic car chases, or blood and guts, then this might not be a film for you. This is a film that caters to dealing with the justice system, and the jurors one by one try to understand the psychology and motives of someone accused of murder.
Check it out!
3 1/2 stars
 Dear MGM, WHERE IS THE DVD???!!! December 24, 2007
iliveforhim1976 (Kalamazoo, MI)
I saw this movie back when it was on television and I loved it! I also like the older version. I can get that one on DVD but WHY CAN'T I GET THIS ONE ON DVD??? MGM, it is time to release this movie on DVD!!!!
My favorite movie... March 17, 2007
Lionwoman (CT USA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Excellent, provocative. I loved it! Got me thinking for sure. I saw both this and the silver screen version. I loved this later version much better. Maybe because I could relate to the situation that was modernized some as I am from this era. The silver screen (old) version is kinda cheesy.
 It's okay, but it doesn't top the original January 9, 2007
Joe (Mount Laurel, NJ)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
When I saw that 12 Angry Men had been remade with Jack Lemmon, I was very interested in seeing it. Not only do I like Jack Lemmon, but I wanted to see if more of a modern twist had been placed on the story. I finally saw the movie, and I must say that the other reviewers are correct. This version, while somewhat interesting, doesn't hold a candle to the original. Jack Lemmon looks tired and sulks a lot, and he just doesn't have the energy that made Peter Fonda such a great fit for the role in the original. George C. Scott does a nice job in his angry role. The great Ossie Davis has his talents wasted in a minor role. Tony Danza and James Gandolfini perform nicely, but in the end the original beats this one hands-down. Modernizing it didn't do much for the dialogue, the story, or the performances. Skip this and buy the original.
 One Angry Reviewer November 29, 2006
Steven Hedge (Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
No amount of money or updating can master the original 12 Angry Men masterpiece. Although I really like George C. Scott's role that Lee J. Cobb originated, I see nothing redeeming in this remake. Jack Lemon's talents are wasted in this film and he is actually a poor choice for the role. I would have preferred someone like Tom Hanks in Fonda's original role.
In addition, the senseless foul language added to the original script does nothing for the film except "update" it a bit with how we speak today, but it still reeked as being unnecessary. William Friedkin is a very skilled director (The Exorcist, The French Connection, et. al.), but this is just not his genre at all and, therefore, his talents are wasted as much as everyone else's in this remake.
|
|
|
