John Houseman is unforgettable as the Harvard law professor who instills fear and loathing into the hearts and minds of his students. The Paper Chase (1973) Warning to students considering law school: Do not watch this movie. He takes the case to trial and wins back a measure of self-respect.ĥ. The Verdict (1982) Paul Newman delivers a virtuoso performance as an alcoholic attorney who changes his mind about settling a cut-and-dried medical malpractice case after meeting the victim.

The brilliant cast features Henry Fonda, Jack Klugman, Lee Cobb, and Jack Warden.Ĥ. This Sidney Lumet film illustrates just how difficult it can be to get twelve people to agree on anything, much less the verdict in a murder trial. 12 Angry Men (1957)What a year 1957 was for legal movies.

The writing and acting are exquisite, and there are enough twists to keep even the most squirrelly of viewers mesmerized.ģ. Witness for the Prosecution (1957) Billy Wilder co-wrote and directed this mystery based on an Agatha Christie play about an aging London barrister who’s preparing to retire when he takes the defense in the most challenging murder case of his career. Tyrone Power is the defendant, and Marlene Dietrich is the wife of the accused. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) How many legal careers have been inspired by Gregory Peck’s timeless performance as noble country lawyer Atticus Finch? The riveting story supplied by novelist Harper Lee is only augmented by the elegant performances of Peck and the other leads (keep an eye out for Robert Duvall as Boo Radley). For your viewing pleasure, the staff at Texas Super Lawyers dimmed the lights, loaded up on Jujyfruits, and maxed out our Blockbuster membership cards to come up with this: our ranking of the 100 best legal movies of all time.ġ. Griffith, courtrooms have been one of Hollywood’s favorite settings for drama.Think of it, all the elements of a good movie can be found there: heroic protagonists, scheming villains, intricate plot twists, surprise endings, sturdy bailiffs.

Bonnie bedelia in judicial consent