The American Bar Association's List
In 1989, the American Bar Association rated the twelve best trial films of all time, and provided a detailed and reasoned legal evaluation for its choices. Ten of them are in English; M is in German and The Passion of Joan of Arc is a French silent film. The films on the ABA Journal list are here listed in alphabetical order:
- 12 Angry Men (1957)
- Nominated for 3 Academy Awards. (AFI)
- A Man for All Seasons (1966)
- Nominated for 8 Academy Awards, winning 6. (AFI)
- Based on a real trial.
- Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
- Nominated for 7 Academy Awards.
- Based on a real trial. (AFI)
- Inherit the Wind (1960)
- Nominated for 4 Academy Awards.
- Based on a real trial.
- Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)
- Nominated for 11 Academy Awards, winning 2.
- Based on a real trial.
- M (1931)
- Paths of Glory (1958)
- Based on a real trial.
- The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)
- Based on a real trial.
- The Trial (1962)
- The Wrong Man (1957)
- Based on a real trial.
- To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
- Nominated for 8 Academy Awards, winning 3. (AFI)
- The Verdict (1982)
- Nominated for 5 Academy Awards. (AFI)
Ten of the movies take place (at least in part) in courtrooms.
The American Bar Association also published a list of the 12 best trial plays, noting that the transition from film to the stage is sometimes difficult. It also has an extensive honorable mention list.
Read more about this topic: Trial Film
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