Witness for the Prosecution (1958): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
Witness for the Prosecution is a 1958 drama thriller directed by Billy Wilder, starring Tyrone Power, Norma Varden and Charles Laughton. It runs 1 hour 56 minutes and earned $7,903 worldwide. It won 1 award from 13 nominations, among them 6 Oscar nominations. Critics gave it 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.4/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 56m (116 min)
- Director
- Billy Wilder
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- United Artists
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Witness for the Prosecution About?
The premise of Witness for the Prosecution without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Charismatic lawyer Sir Wilfrid Robarts takes on the defense of Leonard Vole, who is accused of murder. As the trial progresses, Vole’s seemingly solid alibi begins to unravel. The situation becomes even more complicated when his estranged wife, Christine, testifies, exposing a tangled history of secrets and lies. Robarts must navigate a complex web of conflicting accounts to uncover the truth and determine whether his client is truly innocent.
Witness for the Prosecution Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- lawyer
- courtroom drama
- defense attorney
- courtroom
- trial
- prosecution
- police
- justice
- secretary
- widow
- barrister
- witness for the prosecution
+38 more Show fewer
- judge
- london england
- audience
- bow
- bowing
- suit and tie
- bride to be
- disappeared person
- suitcase
- criminal case
- heart attack
- heart patient
- hampstead village london
- oxford street
- chief inspector
- invention
- inventor
- scotland yard
- rich widow
- witness stand
- testifying under oath
- pub
- alibi
- cigar smoking
- great britain
- united kingdom
- attorney
- murder trial
- witness testimony
- cross examination
- closing statement
- jury trial
- jury verdict
- legal drama
- court
- murder
- witness
- testimony
Witness for the Prosecution Cast
Tyrone Power leads the cast, with Norma Varden and Charles Laughton. Directed by Billy Wilder; 10 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Billy Wilder
Also Starring in Witness for the Prosecution
· 6 moreMore from Billy Wilder
More films directed by Billy Wilder, best-rated first: Some Like It Hot, Double Indemnity, The Apartment and Sunset Boulevard.
Witness for the Prosecution Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Witness for the Prosecution 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.4/10.
-
IMDb 8.4 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 76 Metascore
User score 8.6
See on Metacritic
Witness for the Prosecution Plot Summary
What happens in Witness for the Prosecution from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 10 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
A few years after the end of World War II, in the heart of London, Leonard Vole, portrayed by Tyrone Power, finds himself at the center of a murder accusation involving a wealthy widow named Emily French, played by Norma Varden. Emily has recently altered her will, leaving Leonard a significant inheritance, which raises suspicions about his motives.
To defend him, Sir Wilfred Robarts, expertly brought to life by Charles Laughton, a distinguished lawyer fresh from recovery in the hospital, is pulled into the case. Despite his doctor’s orders to avoid excitement, and the concerns of his dedicated nurse, Elsa Lanchester, Sir Wilfred decides to personally represent Leonard after his replacement barrister expresses doubt over the accused’s innocence.
Full summary
The whole story of Witness for the Prosecution, scene by scene
Witness for the Prosecution Box Office
Witness for the Prosecution grossed $7,903 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$7.9K
- International
- $7.9K
Witness for the Prosecution Awards & Nominations
Witness for the Prosecution won 1 award from 13 nominations, among them 6 Oscar nominations. Its biggest night was the Golden Globes 1958, with 1 win from 5 nominations.
1 win13 nominations4 ceremonies
-
BAFTA 1959 1 nomination- Nominated Best Foreign Actor – Charles Laughton
-
Golden Globes 1958 1 win · 5 nominations- Won Best Supporting Actress – Elsa Lanchester
- Nominated Best Actor - Drama – Charles Laughton
- Nominated Best Actress - Drama – Marlene Dietrich
- Nominated Best Director – Billy Wilder
- Nominated Best Film - Drama
-
Oscars 1958 6 nominations- Nominated Actor – Charles Laughton
- Nominated Actress in a Supporting Role – Elsa Lanchester
- Nominated Best Motion Picture
- Nominated Directing – Billy Wilder
- Nominated Film Editing
-
DGA Awards 1957 1 nomination- Nominated Feature Film – Billy Wilder
Witness for the Prosecution Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer Witness for the Prosecution (1957) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD 1080p]
How Well Do You Know Witness for the Prosecution?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is accused of murdering Emily French?
Cars in Witness for the Prosecution
4 cars on screen, including the 1948 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith and the 1938 Daimler New Fifteen.
-
1948 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Important role -
1938 Daimler New Fifteen Minor role -
1942 Dodge WC 52 Minor role -
Willys MB 'Jeep' Minor role
Witness for the Prosecution Also Known As
33 alternative titles, including “Testimone d'accusa” and “Testigo de cargo”.
- Also known as
-
- Testimone d'accusa
- Testigo de cargo
- Témoin à charge
- Testemunha de Acusação
- 控方证人
- 情妇
- Bezwarend getuige
- Свидетел на обвинението
- Anklagerens vidne
- Todistaja
- 情婦
- Μάρτυρας Κατηγορίας
+21 more Show fewer
- Åklagarens vittne
- 검찰 측의 증인
- 검찰 측 증인
- 검찰측 증인
- A vád tanúja
- 정부
- Zeugin der Anklage
- Свидетель обвинения
- Svědek obžaloby
- Beklenmeyen Şahit
- Μάρτυς Κατηγορίας
- Świadek oskarżenia
- עד התביעה
- Свідок обвинувачення
- 雄才偉略
- Martorul acuzării
- الشاهد للادعاء
- Nhân Chứng Buộc Tội, ბრალდების მოწმე
- شاهدی برای محاکمه
- Testimoni de càrrec
- หักเหลี่ยมทนาย
Seen Witness for the Prosecution?
Movies Like Witness for the Prosecution
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Witness for the Prosecution, Your Witness and The Witness.
Witness for the Prosecution FAQ: Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Witness for the Prosecution, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Witness for the Prosecution?
Witness for the Prosecution runs 1 hour 56 minutes (116 minutes).
When was Witness for the Prosecution released?
Witness for the Prosecution was released on February 6, 1958.
Who directed Witness for the Prosecution?
Witness for the Prosecution was directed by Billy Wilder.
More films by Billy Wilder Who is in the cast of Witness for the Prosecution?
Witness for the Prosecution stars Tyrone Power, Norma Varden and Charles Laughton, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Witness for the Prosecution make at the box office?
Witness for the Prosecution grossed $7,903 worldwide.
How is Witness for the Prosecution rated?
Witness for the Prosecution has 8.4/10 on IMDb and 76 on Metacritic.
What awards did Witness for the Prosecution win?
Witness for the Prosecution won 1 award from 13 nominations, including Best Supporting Actress at the Golden Globes 1958.
Does Witness for the Prosecution have a post-credit scene?
No. Witness for the Prosecution has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
