Movies:
The Verdict
DVD Release: The Verdict
- Release Date: 2002
- Anamorphic widescreen (aspect ratio 1.85:1)
- Audio: English stereo, English mono, French mono
- Subtitles: English, Spanish
- cc
- Commentary by Sidney Lumet and Paul Newman
- Featurette
- Theatrical trailer
- Interactive menus
- Scene selection
DVD Release: The Verdict [2 Discs]
- Release Date: 2007
- Three all-new featurettes:
- Paul Newmann: The Craft of Acting
- Milestones in Cinema History: The Verdict
- Sidney Lumet: The Craft of Directing
- Audio commentary with director and star, two additional featurettes, photo gallery and more!
- Rating:
- Genre: Drama
- Movie Type: Courtroom Drama
- Themes: Fighting the System, Redemption, Social Injustice
- Director: Sidney Lumet
- Main Cast: Paul Newman, Charlotte Rampling, Jack Warden, James Mason, Milo O'Shea
- Release Year: 1982
- Country: US
- Run Time: 122 minutes
- MPAA Rating: R
Plot
In Sidney Lumet's powerful courtroom drama The Verdict, Paul Newman stars as Frank Galvin, an alcoholic Boston lawyer who tries to redeem his personal and professional reputation by winning a difficult medical malpractice case. Frank, down on his luck, is presented with the case of his life when he is approached by the family of a woman who has been left in a coma following an operation in a large Catholic hospital. Helped by his assistant Mickey (Jack Warden), he agrees to take the case, hoping for a fast settlement. When he visits the victim in the hospital, he becomes emotionally involved, turns down a sizable settlement offer made by the hospital, and decides to bring the case to trial despite the formidable opposition of the Church and its lawyer, Newman (James Mason). He is also assisted by his new girlfriend, Laura (Charlotte Rampling), a woman who turns out to have an unusual past. Oscar-nominated for "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Lumet) as well as for "Best Adapted Screenplay" (David Mamet from a novel by Barry Reed), The Verdict is an outstanding, if not very legally accurate, courtroom drama; Frank's decision to try the case without telling the family of the victim of the settlement offer would probably lead to his real-life disbarment. Paul Newman and James Mason give fine, Oscar-nominated performances, and Charlotte Rampling is quite good as the deceitful Laura, who never seems to turn down a drink. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie GuideReview
Another gritty urban drama from Sydney Lumet, the rich, entertaining courtroom thriller The Verdict combines the director's typically realistic, brooding atmosphere with a stunning lead performance from Paul Newman. Written by David Mamet, the picture follows a fairly standard legal movie premise -- a downtrodden lawyer finds redemption fighting the good fight -- but Lumet gives the proceedings a starkly solemn air, focussing the audience's attention on Newman's subtle performance. It's some of his best work of the actor's career; he's supported by the similarly stellar James Mason, in one of his last noteworthy performances. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. ~ Brendon Hanley, All Movie GuideCast
- Paul Newman - Frank Galvin
- Charlotte Rampling - Laura Fischer
- Jack Warden - Mickey Morrissey
- James Mason - Ed Concannon
- Milo O'Shea - Judge Hoyle
Edward Binns - Bishop Brophy; Julie Bovasso - Maureen Rooney; Lindsay Crouse - Kaitlin Costello Price; Roxanne Hart - Sally Doneghy; Wesley Addy - Dr. Towler; Kent Broadhurst - Joseph Alito; Colin Stinton - Billy; John Blood - Funeral Director; H. Clay Dear - Courthouse Lawyer; Juanita Fleming - Dr. Gruber's Maid; James Handy - Dick Doneghy; Burtt Harris - Jimmy the Bartender; Leib Lensky - Wheelchair Patient; Edward Mason - Widow's Son; Joe Seneca - Dr. Thompson; Lewis J. Stadlen - Dr. Gruber; Bruce Willis - Courtroom observer (uncredited); Marvin Beck - Sheraton Bar Patron; Ralph Douglas - Clerk; Tony La Fortezza - Sheraton Bartender; Evelyn Moore - Dr. Gruber's Nurse; Joy Todd; Herb Peterson - Sheridan Patrons; Maggie Task - Irish Nurse
