Summary12 Angry Men, by Sidney Lumet, is a behind-closed-doors look at the American legal system. This iconic adaptation of Reginald Rose’s teleplay stars Henry Fonda as the dissenting member on a jury of white men ready to pass judgment on a Puerto Rican teenager charged with murdering his father. The result is a saga of epic proportions that plays out... Read More
Directed By:Sidney Lumet
Written By:Reginald Rose
12 Angry Men
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
97
User score
Universal Acclaim
9.2
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Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
97
100% Positive
18 Reviews
18 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
100
Former TV director Sidney Lumet's solid success is achieved without even once resorting to flashbacks or other standard procedures of the film trade. The secret rests in spirited dialogue, realistic setting and, of course, the excellent cast of outstanding character actors that make up the jury. [21 Apr 1957, p.106]
100
Henry Fonda, Martin Balsam, John Fiedler, and Jack Warden lead a cast that glues you to the screen and never lets you go till the final verdict.
User score
Universal Acclaim
9.2
97% Positive
840 Ratings
840 Ratings
2% Mixed
16 Ratings
16 Ratings
1% Negative
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
Apr 10, 2026
10
Greetings from Lithuania.
"12 Angry Men" is a masterpiece of a moviemaking in which a very simple story is told in a minimalistic way. There are 12 men talking in one room for the entire runtime of 1 h 35 min and yet it is written, directed, edited and acted so well that you can't take your eyes off the screen. If there ever was one movie made in black and white that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime, "12 Angry Men" is the one.I won't get into details of plot of this film because it's a one that should discover by themselves. This film later was remade many times and in more then few countries and i saw few of them, yet nothing comes close to "12 Angry Men".Overall, "12 Angry Men" is as good as small movies can be done. Its an example for all movie makers in the world that you don't need a big budget to make something simple yet unforgettable.
Apr 7, 2026
10
12 Angry Men. Every Opinion Counts. "12 Angry Men" is a powerful drama about bias, honesty, and the search for truth. The film challenges the importance of objectivity and the power of persuasion through the dialogue of twelve jurors delving into a complex case. A tense atmosphere, excellent acting, and a clever script create a sense of reality. This is a film about human nature, responsibility, and the need to question. A true classic that leaves a mark on the soul and provokes thought.
100
Too few films take on the art of arguing as a subject; we could certainly use more of them, but until then, Lumet’s window into strained civic duty will continue to serve mightily.
100
A penetrating, sensitive, and sometimes shocking dissection of the hearts and minds of men who obviously are something less than gods. It makes for taut, absorbing, and compelling drama that reaches far beyond the close confines of its jury room setting.
91
Though the jury in 12 Angry Men reaches a verdict, neither Rose nor Lumet definitively state whether they're "right." The point—as Lumet well knows—is that when it comes to making sense of a picture, a lot depends on the framing.
90
Perhaps the motivations of each juror are introduced too quickly and are repeated too often before each changes his vote. However, the film leaves a tremendous impact.
80
Mechanically written, but within its own middlebrow limitations, it delivers the goods.
Mar 8, 2026
10
In an iconic movie with tight writing, fascinatingly diverse characters and a stellar cast, I think Lee J Cobb is sometimes the unsung hero of this terrific story.
Apr 20, 2022
2
Pour un film de Sidney Lumet, c’est étonnamment regardable. Il faut dire que le réalisateur de somnifères s’est limité à une heure et demi, ce qui est déjà conséquent pour un tel huis-clos procédurier. Ici, on ne suit pas le procès mais on refait le procès en coulisses et on s’engueule… et surtout on assiste à un numéro de manipulation magistral ! Pensez donc, un homme seul retourne les 11 autres comme des crèpes ! au nom bien sûr de la lutte (finale) contre l’affreuse peine capitale et parce que cet homme seul est un bisounours à faire mourir de honte Jésus et potentiellement un communiste refoulé : on ne voit pas d’autre explication. Car les faits sont tout de même patents et ressassés, puis balayés au fur et à mesure par des interprétations sujettes à caution et particulièrement discutables. Il aurait fallu une affaire bien plus ambigüe pour rétablir la balance et partant, le doute. Ici, on a l’impression fort désagréable de s’être fait manipuler pendant une heure et demi : tout était écrit d’avance et les faits s’y sont pliés bien gentiment, ne nous laissant qu’une illusion de rebondissements qui n’en sont pas. Non, on avale pas de telles couleuvres : récusez ce film en définitive bien merdique qui se fout de notre gueule !
Sep 19, 2023
1
le film est long a la limite de l'ennuyant il reste statique dans une pièce ,il manque de rebondissement .Le seul point positif c'est l'enquête qui peut être intéressante a certains moments.
