WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION

US, 1982, 97 minutes, Colour.
Ralph Richardson, Deborah Kerr, Diana Rigg, Beau Bridges, Wendy Hiller, Donald Pleasence.
Directed by Alan Gibson.

Witness for the Prosecution is a remake of Billy Wilder's classic version of Agatha Christie's play from the late '50s. The present telemovie is an adaptation of the screenplay Wilder wrote with Harry Kurnitz.

The film is updated, given the telemovie colour treatment and has an excellent star cast. The film also omits the flashbacks of the original, designed to show its star, Marlene Dietrich, and her ability to sing and entertain. This film version is a straightforward presentation of the plot and the court case. It is entertaining, especially for the home audience, and for those unfamiliar with the twist at the end, quite startling in its impact. This was one of the final films of Sir Ralph Richardson who steps into the Charles Laughton role. Deborah Kerr has Elsa Lanchester's part - and it is heightened for the star impact of this version. Beau Bridges takes the place of Tyrone Power - the callow-looking innocent who is guilty. Diana Rigg is intriguing in the Marlene Dietrich role. There is a strong supporting cast led by Donald Pleasence and Wendy Hiller as Janet Mackenzie. Direction is by Alan Gibson who directed a number of horror films in the '70s and several interesting telemovies including Ingrid Berman's A Woman Called Golda.

1. The popularity of Agatha Christie's novels, plays? Over many decades? Film versions? The classic version of this play of the '50s? Its adaptation for telemovie presentation? The wider audience, the home audience? Comparisons with the original?

2. The continued popularity of Agatha Christie's murder mysteries? Situations, characters - and the importance of the puzzle, the clues and the revelation? How vintage is this as Agatha Christie material? Original play with its twists and stage presentation? Cinema adaptation?

3. The strength of the cast? The charm - and irascibility - of Sir Ralph Richardson? Deborah Kerr and her career? Diana Rigg and her impact? Wendy Hiller? Beau Bridges as the bland hero-villain?

4. The atmosphere of the opening: Sir Wilfrid and his character, health, attitude towards the law, crustiness? The setting up of the murder situation - the screams, the death? The setting up of Leonard as the innocent victim?

5. Sir Wilfrid in the hospital, the British style, his illness, his devices for getting a drink, his going home, his colleagues, assistants? Miss Plimsoll and her interaction with him? Fussiness, concern? The interview with Leonard Vole and his style, questions, astuteness? The encounters with Christine and his gauging her reactions? His manner in court, devices for conducting the case, his questions? Miss Plimsoll and her continued fussiness, his outwitting her e.g. with lifts, places for hiding drink? The encounter with Christine in disguise and his being tricked? The melodramatics of the end and his response to Christine?

6. The film's focus on Miss Plimsoll as a star vehicle for Deborah Kerr? How credible was the regal Deborah Kerr in suggesting fussiness about Sir Wilfrid? Her ways of looking after him, tricking him? Her being outwitted? Her comments? Her reaction in the court - especially to the young woman and the irony of this being Leonard's girlfriend? Her final mellowness?

7. The nature of the murder, the details, the evidence? The screenplay guiding the audience to be against Leonard? Miss Mackenzie and her response? Her telling the stories of Vole's treatment of her mistress, slanting the evidence against him? The prospect of her inheriting the money? Her deafness and its repercussions on the evidence?

8. Beau Bridges as Leonard - young, callow, innocent face, the first confession, his story, his devotion to Christine? The clashes? The growing inconsistencies? His behaviour in the court, pleading? The final verdict and his relief? The girl arriving, his true reaction? The suddenness of his death? A sketch of callow evil?

9. Diana Rigg and her strength as Christine? A mysterious woman? The credibility of her having married Leonard? Her devotion to him? The seeming alienation? Her antagonising Sir Wilfrid and Miss Plimsoll? Her gratitude for Leonard's help, her love? Her giving Leonard an alibi? The irony of her being a witness for the Prosecution? The interviews with Sir Wilfred? The make-up, the letters and the condemnation? The character of Max? Her delight in Leonard's acquittal - the supreme love for her husband? Her fury at her betrayal? Audience sympathy with her at the end?

10. The incidental focus on the girl, her sitting next to Miss Plimsoll, the irony of the travel agency, the ticket, her going off with Leonard?

11. The Prosecutor and his style, legal devices, the cat-and mouse work with Christine? The judge and his presiding, reactions?

12. The appeal of court dramas, verbal exchanges, wit, evidence, circumstances? The jury and the appeal? The truth?

13. The theme of truth - reality and appearances?

14. The range of emotions - love, loyalty, hate, greed, exploitation? Agatha Christie-style?