There are several versions of ’12 Angry Men’; the original was originally broadcast on TV in 1954, later made into a movie in 1957, and the remake (originally broadcast on Showtime TV in 1997). I shall review the remake, as the ethnic make-up of the jury more accurately reflects our society as it really IS (in the U.S.), and because the viewer might relate more to this (phenomenal) cast of actors than to the actors in the original version. Noteworthy is that this remake is filmed in black & white, as was the original.
As the movie opens, we hear and see an Anglo female judge giving instructions to the jury, which (in keeping with the original movie) is comprised of 12 males. We see fear in the eyes and face of the alleged murderer - who, as we later learn, is a Puerto Rican accused of killing his father. The camera then moves to the sparsely furnished jury room, and slowly scans over the faces of the multi-ethnic jurors, who begin to sweat profusely (the air-conditioning doesn’t work and it’s raining outside). On the first vote, only one of the 12 jurors votes ’not guilty’. Over the next 1-1/2 hours, we hear terrible racial slurs blurted out by these men, we see raw emotion on their faces, and we finally witness an ’evolution’ of sorts - from a seemingly barbaric anger and hatred to ... that of humility and compassion.
The cast of the ’97 remake, which includes Ossie Davis, Jack Lemmon, Hume Cronyn, and Edward James Olmos, is absolutely awesome - the best choice of actors one could hope for in a movie of this genre.
No words can express/emphasize the importance of this movie, both from an historical AND legal perspective, and I (for one of the few times in my life) find myself hoping that those of you who actually DO read and/or understand my reviews will share with me YOUR feelings about this incredible movie-remake. Thank you!