Classic Courtroom Drama Comes to Brighton
Witness for the Prosecution, a gripping murder mystery, is set to screen at the Duke of York's Picturehouse. With its intricate plot and unexpected twists, this 1957 film is a must-see for fans of Agatha Christie.
Dir: Billy Wilder
Cast: Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, Charles Laughton, Elsa Lanchester, John Williams, Henry Daniell, Ian Wolfe, Torin Thatcher
116 mins · 1957 · United States of America · Cert U · German, English
IMDb 8.4/10 · Rotten Tomatoes 100% · Metacritic 76/100 · TMDB 8.2/10 · Trakt 84%
Awards: Nominated for 6 Oscars. 3 wins & 15 nominations total
Witness for the Prosecution
29 Nov 2026
Duke of York's Picturehouse (Brighton)
A wealthy widow's murder sets off a chain of events that leads to a thrilling trial, as a man accused of the crime defends himself against the testimony of his own wife. Directed by Billy Wilder, Witness for the Prosecution boasts a talented cast, including Charles Laughton, Marlene Dietrich, and Tyrone Power. This 116-minute drama, rated U, is a masterclass in suspense and intrigue, with a narrative that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
With a perfect blend of wit, charm, and drama, the film has received widespread critical acclaim, earning six Academy Award nominations and winning three. The film's scores are impressive, with an 8.4/10 rating on IMDb, 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and 84% on Trakt. Critics have praised the film's razor-sharp dialogue, impeccable pacing, and outstanding performances from the cast.
Viewers have also praised the film, with many considering it one of the greatest courtroom dramas of all time. Some have noted that the film's twist ending is both surprising and satisfying, while others have appreciated the film's well-crafted characters and suspenseful plot.
The screening will take place on Sunday, 29 November 2026, at the Duke of York's Picturehouse in Brighton. Tickets are on sale: say tickets are with the button beside the article.
Stills
What viewers say
hirkiti · 7/10
Many people rate this as Christie’s best movie adaptation. I disagree and find several others to be better. It’s good of course but I much prefer Death on the Nile from ‘78 which is my favorite. It has great actors, much more interesting characters and possibly the best on locations sets of any film. As for this movie, Tyrone Power’s acting is pretty awful. The way he speaks makes it seem as if he is repeating memorized lines - which he is of…
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isgraham · 7/10
I think this is a generally good movie. The problem is, by this point, it's been copied many times over. Another movie that popped immediately into my head was [spoiler] High Crimes with Ashley Judd, Jim Caviezel, and Morgan Freeman. [/spoiler] However, there are many others. This is a common problem with classics and it's unfortunate because I'm sure at the time this was a great hit. But now it's been said and done so many times, it just feels…
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tgrbabydoll · 8/10
It's a great film, but I didn't realize Dietrich couldn't sing. The twist at the end is too short. They also put a lot of effort into making Dietrich look like Monroe. And while I'm a huge Agatha Christie fan, and Tyrone Power normally too, the women throughout the movie leave something to be desired except the nurse towards the end. It's a good movie, but it's not the best rendition. It was probably cutting edge in 1957 though. So 7.9/10.
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SHADOW CHASER · 9/10
It was remarkably good court crime drama, just as the short story by agatha Christie.
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Chandru J · 7/10
What can I expect from the master of mysteries? A gripping mystery with an unexpected twist. This film is well worth a watch.
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dimcosmo · 9/10
Το ξαναείδα και δεν κρύβω ότι εκτίμησα περισσότερο το γρήγορο και σφιχτό σενάριο με τους πνευματώδεις διαλόγους και τα απρόβλεπτα twists προς το τέλος που κορυφώνουν την αγωνία. Εξαιρετική η ερμηνεία του Λώτον!!!! Εξαιρετικά noir πλάνα του Wilder που παραμένει κορυφαίος της εποχής του !
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Zhuang44 · 10/10
This is so excellent.What a remarkable movie！It full of tense but humor.Great！
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juliosoft · 8/10
Great script, great actors, great direction, great film.
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