Google Ads
Login | Sign Up

Anatomy of a Murder Overview:

Anatomy of a Murder (1959) was a Crime - Drama Film directed by Otto Preminger and produced by Otto Preminger.

The film was based on the novel of the same name written by John D. Voelker published in 1957.

SYNOPSIS

Director Preminger thrives in tense legal showdowns and this is perhaps his best, mostly for Stewart's cagey performance as a deceptively wily small-town lawyer. The sensationalist trial revolves around an army lieutenant who shoots a bar owner for allegedly raping his wife, an ugly crime in which no one is wholly guilty or innocent. Based on Traver's novel. Score by Duke Ellington.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

Anatomy of a Murder was inducted into the National Film Registry in 2012.

Academy Awards 1959 --- Ceremony Number 32 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorJames StewartNominated
Best Supporting ActorArthur O'ConnellNominated
Best Supporting ActorGeorge C. ScottNominated
Best CinematographySam LeavittNominated
Best Film EditingLouis R. LoefflerNominated
Best PictureOtto Preminger, ProducerNominated
Best WritingWendell MayesNominated
See More Oscar Winners

Anatomy of a Murder BlogHub Articles:

The Case for Anatomy of a Murder

By Rick29 on Jul 1, 2024 From Classic Film & TV Cafe

Stewart as Biegler pleads his case.Anatomy of a Murder is the best courtroom drama ever made.Otto Preminger’s enthralling motion picture requires multiple viewings to be fully appreciated. When I first saw it, I focused on the riveting story, which treats the viewer much like the jury. We list... Read full article

Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

By Beatrice on Dec 9, 2016 From Flickers in Time

Anatomy of a Murder Directed by Otto Preminger Written by Wendell Mayes from a novel by John D. Voelker 1959/USA Carlyle Productions Repeat viewing/Netflix rental One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die Paul Biegler: [shaking head] They can’t, lieutenant. They can’t. An anatomy... Read full article

Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Feb 14, 2013 From 4 Star Films

Starring Jimmy Stewart, George C. Scott, Lee Remick, and a cast of others, the film follows a small town lawyer (Stewart) as he defends a man who has committed murder. The whole case is complicated by the fact that the Lieutenant’s beautiful wife was supposedly raped by the murdered man. No... Read full article

Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Feb 14, 2013 From 4 Star Films

Starring Jimmy Stewart, George C. Scott, Lee Remick, and a cast of others, the film follows a small town lawyer (Stewart) as he defends a man who has committed murder. The whole case is complicated by the fact that the Lieutenant’s beautiful wife was supposedly raped by the murdered man. No... Read full article

Tropes of Women in Film: Lee Remick in Anatomy of a Murder

By Duke Mantee on Jul 25, 2012 From Spoilers

Because of the Production Code, films made in the 1930’s, 40’s, and 50’s were strictly censored. The same set of rules that forbade Maxim de Winter from being his wife’s killer also forbade the use of the word “virgin” on screen. Language, especially sexually explicit language, was the m... Read full article

See More Anatomy of a Murder Articles

Anatomy of a Murder Quotes:

Paul Biegler: [after cross-examining a convicted felon] Your Honor, I don't think I can dignify this - -creature - - with any more questions.
Lt. Frederick Manion: Wanted: the Big Ten. Hey. They've got the ten best-dressed dames, the ten top teams, the ten top tunes, and now the ten most wanted.
Paul Biegler: Well, don't knock it. That's the American Dream. Those boys made The Grade.
Parnell Emmett McCarthy: Did you give the lieutenant the Well-Known Lecture?
Paul Biegler: If you mean, did I coach him into a phony story, no.
Parnell Emmett McCarthy: Maybe you're too pure, Paul. Too pure for the natural impurities of the law.
Parnell Emmett McCarthy: Gin!... I knew there was something wrong with that guy. I never met a gin drinker yet that you could trust
Paul Biegler: All right, the cat's out of the bag; it's fair game for me to chase it!
See More Quotes from Anatomy of a Murder
Anatomy of a Murder Facts
The movie's poster was as #1 of "The 25 Best Movie Posters Ever" by Premiere.
Upon its original release, the film was banned in Chicago, Illinois.
The film was cut, scored and in previews only a month after filming had wrapped.
The Lee Remick part was turned down by Jayne Mansfield.
The police car sitting in the parking lot of the jail, is a 1959 Edsel sedan. There is on record a few Edsels used by municipalities, but it was more common to find a Ford, Chevy, or Plymouth in use by law enforcement.
See More Facts about Anatomy of a Murder >>