Director
Sidney Lumet
Leading Actors/Actresses
Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb
Supporting Actors/Actresses
Ed Begley, E.G. Marshall, Jack Warden, Joseph Sweeney
Genre
Drama
Language
English
Awards
Nominated for 3 Academy Awards: Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Director, Best Picture
Date of Release
April 10, 1957
Producer
Henry Fonda, Reginald Rose
Setting and Context
New York County Court House
Narrator and Point of View
None
Tone and Mood
Dramatic, somber, realistic, conversational
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist: 8. Antagonist: 3
Major Conflict
The jurors on a murder case cannot agree on a verdict, and Juror 8 makes a strong argument for the fact that the case isn't as open-and-shut as his peers think. He meets much resistance from his fellow jurors, particularly Juror 3, who has a violent and bullying streak.
Climax
When 3 breaks down in tears and agrees on a "not guilty" verdict.
Foreshadowing
None.
Understatement
The jurors understate the gravity of the case. If they vote "guilty," they will be sending a teenager to his death.
Innovations in Filming or Lighting or Camera Techniques
Lumet's use of camera angles, telephoto lenses, and wide-angle lenses created unique and innovative depictions of space.
Allusions
Allusions to the Yankees and sports.
Paradox
The jurors who believe the boy is guilty cannot provide concrete evidence about their beliefs, but they hold firm to their conviction.
Parallelism
We see the jurors entering the room at the beginning of the film, and leaving the courthouse at the end.
