Lee J. Cobb put on an acting clinic in that final monologue. He made all of your possible dislike of his character evaporate in literally 5 seconds as he tears up the picture of him and his son and suddenly you feel nothing but empathy for him.

The Actor you asked about was Lee J Cobb a great actor. Another of his most famous roles was as the Union Leader in "On the Waterfront" with Marlon Brando.

This movie is brilliant. I've heard many people dismiss black and white films because they're old, but there are many great ones from back then. I'm glad you watched this one.

Everyone should watch this movie. So, so great! This is one of my top five movies of all time.

There's no other movie that can be mostly in one room, no special effects needed and be this masterful. This is one of my favorite movies of all time. And yes the close up shots, the cinematography , the entire film is a masterpiece. I'm so happy you reviewed this film.

I do believe this was a famous play first, adapted for the screen. One of the reasons the dialogue is so good.

This is such an intelligent film. I can't believe it was made in 1957!! Great script and brilliant acting and camera work. It's a wonderful thing to see, when people let go of their ego and prejudice and come to their senses through rational thinking. For me, this is a good example of becoming fully conscious in a spiritual sense by letting go of conditioned emotions and patterns of thinking. I agree with you Shandor, the world would be a better place if we followed the example set in this film.

You know one of the great parts at the end where Henry Fonda gets Lee J Cobbs jacket and puts it on him.

One of the best dramas made. An interesting note; as the movie progressed the director had the walls moved inward to create an almost claustrophobic atmosphere. Just brilliant.

This movie is the Ultimate Character Study. It is all about the characters exposing their true selves.

Sydney Lumet, a most underated director. You can't go wrong with his films: Serpico Prince of the City (my favorite) The Verdict and Fail Safe...two men in a room...I highly, highly recommend this movie Shandor, you definitely won't regret watching this movie (from 1964), exceptional, engrossing, provacative.

Oh, one more note. George Voskovec played juror number 11, the immigrant. He has an interesting history. He ran a theater company in his homeland of Czechoslovakia, where they performed a number of anti-fascist materials. He fled the country when Hitler took over he country. He returned after the war, but found the censorship under the communist rule suffocating, and left again - this time permanently. Henry Fonda was in a movie about a decade earlier called The Oxbow Incident - where his character also opposed a rush to judgment. I strongly recommend that film as well.

Shandor I am so impressed with your appreciation for cinema and how the shots are done. You are my favorite reactor on KZfaq

Great movie. Thank you for commenting it so brilliantly ! You showed a line I like very much, when the immigrant corrects : « he doesn’t ». An other line I love : - why are you so polite ? - for the same reason you are not, because I was brought up that way. Superbe ! Salute from France 🇫🇷

This is my second favorite film of all time, Casablanca being the first. I always enjoy seeing people's first time reactions watching a master class film. (One room, no character names, no pre-plot of the trial, and masterful actors who know their craft and the material) Yours was a great reaction, I hope to see more.

Absolutely brilliant movie all around. The acting is outstanding, especially the fantastic Lee J. Cobb.

Your reactions and insights were very astute I have seen dozens of reactions to this movie and you hit on observations that many had missed Thank you

What gets lost to modern audiences you have so many great characters actors and future actors in this cast. You get to see them shine in a brilliantly written script.

Some background - All of the actors were paid the same amount, which was really impressive that the more famous actors were fine with that - even though they did most of the work. Ed Begley played the bigot - and he was completely the opposite in real life. Really nice guy. He brought each of his nieces to the set to meet the other actors and was so proud of each of them. His son would go on to even bigger fame. But the main antagonist was played by Lee Cobb, who channeled his anger over having been raked through the coals because of the House UnAmerican Activities Committee having raked him through the coals because he had attended radical meetings when he was younger and he refused to name the others who attended (the committee knew the names, but naming names was really just a performance HUAC demanded to justify what they were doing in trying to remove leftists from Hollywood). At first he refused. But then his wife had a breakdown, he fell into alcoholism, and eventually caved because he couldn't buy clothes for his kids due to having been blacklisted. In an interview he said: "When the facilities of the government of the United States are drawn on an individual it can be terrifying. The blacklist is just the opening gambit-being deprived of work. Your passport is confiscated. That's minor. But not being able to move without being tailed is something else. After a certain point it grows to implied as well as articulated threats, and people succumb. My wife did, and she was institutionalized. The HUAC did a deal with me. I was pretty much worn down. I had no money. I couldn't borrow. I had the expenses of taking care of the children. Why am I subjecting my loved ones to this? If it's worth dying for, and I am just as idealistic as the next fellow. But I decided it wasn't worth dying for, and if this gesture was the way of getting out of the penitentiary I'd do it. I had to be employable again." - Interview with Victor Navasky for the 1980 book Naming Names His attorney prepared a list of names that he was able to verify the committee already had. And then he could work. By the time of this movie, McCarthy had been disgraced and the blacklists were rendered powerless as more Hollywood producers were ignoring them (the big break came with Spartacus where the star Kirk Douglass insisted on hiring a bunch of blacklisted writers, actors, etc.). Cobb had also played the part of a gangster in On the Waterfront and was doing fine, but he was still bitter about the experience and used that bitterness to deliver this incredible performance.

Initially this was a stage play. During this era the theater had tremendous writers n real ACTORS not “movie stars”! Fonda was one star of both stage n screen. Lee J. Cobb was the stellar angry man!

That actor that you liked, the one that had the fight with his son is Lee J Cobb one of the finest actors of his generation. He played the police detective in The Exorcist.

The ending when the jurors left the courtroom was superb. They all left at different steps. Lee J Cobb slowly walked down the steps of the court head down in the rain.

I have seen this movie countless times, and each time I'm blown away!

Some damn good acting in this movie.

Wonderful reaction to a classic. I believe Henry Fonda did not take a salary he just wanted this movie made.

Remember when Jury Number 3 (the one with his son's picture) proudly told the rest of the group how he used to call his father "sir" when he was a kid? Basically complaining about the lack of respect among the new generation and just moments later he yells at the old man on the other side of the table. Jury number 6 raises from his chair and told him to show some respect or else he would lay him out. Just one of so many little details. brilliant writing as well as brilliant acting.

Your astute observation, right out of the gate, that it was a single shot opening is correct. The reason: Every one of those actors (some famous, some not) were absolute professionals in their craft.

One of my all-time favorite films, with 12 of the best actors of the time. Really good reaction, too.

your true appreciation for this film was amazing this movie is a masterpiece great reaction as well!!

Twelve ordinary men with a man's life in their hands. Brilliant film. Enjoyed your reaction.

One of the things you don't notice about Juror #7 (the one who seemingly changes his vote arbitrarily is that, in several different scenes when Henry Fonda's Juror #8 is talking is that he (#7) can be seen in the background and he's *listening*. If you pay attention to all of those scenes he still starts out skeptical in the beginning, but by the time he changes his vote he is much less so. His change of vote was much less arbitrary than it seemed.

This film is profound. Outside of the fact that it is a technical masterpiece, it forces the viewer to be in the room. You identify yourself in one of the characters, and by the end you question who you are as a person and what you would do given the same responsibility. It is a true testament to the human spirit. This film will last forever.

This reminds me of the great TV shows in the 1950s that presented LIVE performances of plays, many of them written for TV. I vividly recall seeing The Days of Wine and Roses, Requiem for a Heavyweight, Patterns, Marty, Bang the Drum Slowly, and others when I was a kid. The actors were all great. Many of these shows are still available on video. I wish this type of TV show still existed!

I love this movie. Years ago, when I was twenty, I sat on a jury. It wasn't murder; it was reckless endangerment. It wasn't as dramatic as the film but looking around in a closed room with 11 other "of my peers" I did feel intimidated. It's a great responsibility. Think twice before you shirk your civic duty and try to get out of it. Another person's life is in your hands.

My two favorite jurors are # 11 and # 6. His defense of the elderly man showed respect. Juror 11 made a lovely soliloquy about justice and confronted the man for changing his vote. A masterpiece of acting, writing and direction.

Brilliant! Hats off! I loved it! Great insights! Thank you!

This is truly a great work of modern art. Phenomenal movie.

Henry Fonda, who played juror # 8, was als o producer of this movie. like any other production, it had it's share of problems. when asked if he was interested in being producer again he basically said "no way".

Another movie that takes place almost entirely in one room and consists of men sitting around a table talking is Conspiracy (2001). It's a rough one but the acting is superb. It's written from the only surviving copy of the minutes from the meeting they're portraying and is a part of history none of us should ever forget lest we repeat it.

Excellent movie with a wonderful cast. Rightfully a highly regarded classic.

I literally watch this film every two weeks or so. Its perhaps my favorite film ever.

Excellent reaction :) Good journey...Peace!

Beautiful stuff. It doesn't matter if the guy is guilty or not, only if the prosecution proved it. That's what this means.

This was a thrilling reaction, I love how invested you were! Definitely an underrated movie that thankfully seems to be getting more attention. This was a treat to watch. 😊 Subscribed!

what a great thing to get out of this masterpiece. That people would actually listen to each other. Great review Sir !!!

My favorite is #4. The one who doesn't sweat (usually). I think he is a broker; I call him The Mathematician. He is the only one who has is not swayed by emotions or morals; he is all about facts and logic. As soon as the facts are in doubt, he switches. And he is quite willing to provide information even if it hurts his own case. And he appreciates others making sense, regardles of which side they are on.

I've watched the TV version of the play on the program, 'Studio One' the outcome was the same But, how they got to 'Not Guilty ' vote was completely different. It's worth a glance.

The director, Sidney Lumet, worked in live television drama in the 1950s. There was no video taping in those days. You can see the influence here: one room, long takes etc. In live TV it was done once, no do overs.

2:25 "Maybe we can all just get outta here..." By quickly condemning a man to death. Gotta make sure you get to the first pitch in that ball game.

My father introduced me to this film when I was 12 on Saturday afternoon TV. It is my favourite movie of all time and I watch it at least once a year and I am now 52. I would also add the following to watch....Some Like it Hot, Stalag 17, Born Yesterday....all 50's films, all Black & White and all absolute Classics.

"Them" in New York City at that time were Puerto Ricans!

This film had some of the best actors that Hollywood had to offer at the time. Besides Henry Fonda, we had EG Marshall, Jack klugman, Lee Jacob, and Martin balsam. Add to that, one of the greatest film directors, and a great script, this film ranks is one of the greatest American films ever made.

The ending really punctuates and reflects what occurs on an actual murder trial jury. Strangers come together briefly, discuss a murder case intimately, make a life or death decision together. As quickly as it began, it all ends, and everybody disappears. Bizarre.

Excellent reaction to a great classic film!

So beautiful... Best film ever

Of course I understand why we don't, but I always wish we could see the kid's face (and his crappo lawyer's) when "Not Guilty" is read in court against all expectations.

Hey, Shandor? Are you from my country too? :) Fine reaction! I love this movie!

The actor you've mentioned (min 14:00) is Lee J. Cobb: one of the best support/secondary actors in the Holywood golden era...

Pain. Sorrow. Hope. Incredible.

You are one of my favorite movie reactors.

Another good court room case is Rashomon. It's b/w in Japanese. It's about three men meeting during a rainstorm and talking about a murder and who could have committed it. There are different points of view as they try to figure out what they've seen.

I always have to laugh at the assumption that nobody wears glasses to bed, because I do.

If you're seeking another exceptionally powerful but different kind of courtroom drama, I can't recommend Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) highly enough. In my humble opinion, it's an even more important and emotionally involving film than 12 Angry Men. As well as a harrowing theme, it features tour-de-force performances by some of the screen's greatest actors.

Brilliant film adaption of the Broadway play, another great film adaption is 'Glengarry Glen Ross', about salesman.

An eyewitness saw the killing, one juror said at the beginning "She saw the killing through the last two cars. She remembered the most insignificant details". Guessing about the indentations around her nose later, after such a statement is strange at least! Her testimony was made in court and it was good enough for No8 not to oppose her statement in detail, he just switched the topic when mentioned, started a journey along many other points, but in the end they never synchronized her statement with the indentations. Does the murdered father not at least deserve a short revisit of the testimony, to find out what details the eyewitness was talking about? Therefore the boy is guilty or at least this jury is very sloppy and not capable to make a substantial verdict.

Great reaction.

the funny thing about making actors sweat in 57, super easy, the hard part was not getting them to sweat. The state of film (literally the film they were recording on) and lighting technology meant you needed a ton of energy pouring on them. It was better here than wizard of oz because of improved film, imagine playing a costumed character at 100 degrees (i figure you're Euro, almost 40c

22:30 Great reaction.

3:57 - “No personal feelings…”

Lee J. Cobb was an amazing actor. Henry Fonda was the star, but it was Cobb who was most riveting.

Our Judicial System is set so that (ideally) in the grey area guilty men would be set free instead of innocent men being imprisoned/executed. It is isn't a perfect system or always result in Justice (as it is biased toward those who can afford to spend a lot of money for their defense, but so far it is better than all of the alternatives. The Accuser must ALWAYS bear the burden of proving truth, even if it is obvious.

12:09 Proverbs 26:27 "...one who digs a pit to trap others will fall in, himself..."

Classic movies are better than modern ones. more BW classics I recommend: (BTW Sidney Lumet directed 12 Angry Men - he, along with Elia Kazan were the best directors in the 1950's: other movie you should check out: 1. A face in the Crowd (directed by Kazan) 2. Babydoll (Kazan) 3. Failsafe (Lumet) 4. A Tree Grows in Brookyn (Kazan's first) 5. The Little Foxes (horrific death scene) 6. Night and the City (horrific death scene) 7. The Killers 8. Sunset Boulevard 9. Strangers on a Train (Hitchcock) 10. Shadow of a Doubt (Hitchock) 11. Double Endemnity 12. All about Eve 13. Marty .........and 20 more.......the above are just off the top of my head - oh ya "In Cold Blood" is another excellent one. and "The Hustler"...............etc............. classics are classics for a reason - good story and character development. 2 cents.

Subbed. Great choice bud

I think it is perfectly reasonable to think that he did it, however, the state failed to prove it with clear and convincing evidence and for that reason and that reason alone, a verdict of not guilty must be returned.

Manchurian Candidate (1962).

I'm new to your channel. Have you reacted to "To Kill A Mockingbird"? If not, I hope you do.

I've seen this movie more than ten times over the years. The actors, except for Fonda, are all supporting actors from TV and movies, and all were recognized as professionals. I'd love to watch a full-length reaction, but apparently you don't do that. Too bad.

love your reactions, could you do There Will be Blood, or Gangs of New York?

😎👍

The main angry actor is lee J cobb.

How I miss the writing, acting, full character development, and cinematography of the older films. It required the best of all involved in making a film to hold an audience's attention. Today they just throw in CGI, sex, and gore to cover the lack of actual substance, inadequate or non-existent acting skills, and where's the originality? It seems today it's all poorly made remakes or superheroes appealing to immature "boys".

Go to see Arbogast again.

The original TV production from 1954. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/baqbfJV6lb2ZmWw.html

There's only one side that doesn't listen, they prefer yelling and violence.

this is based on a stage play. its why the movie is staged as it is. the play starred henry fonda. the man who first suggests they discuss the case. for another excellent fonda flick, where he's falsely accused of a crime, is hitchcock's "the wrong man." released about a year before this film was. "12 angry men" is famous, partly, for its great enemble cast. e. g. marshal, lee j. cobb. martain balsam, jack warden, jack klugman and ed begley all went on to have long successful careers as film or tv stars or character actors. the film is a movie lovers dream. nice message at the end of your reaction. its appreciated.

This was a play before it was a movie, so talk about memorizing lines...

I wanted to enjoy this reaction, but you might be "one of THEM"

1957 and men could work it out. Be a man.😊

Most of these actors are very famous actors.