12 Angry Men 50th Anniversary Edition (1957)

Chicago Sun-Times
"...This is a film where tension comes from personality conflict, dialogue and body language....The movie plays like a textbook for directors interested in how lens choices affect mood..." 09/29/2002 p.6

USA Today
"...As the juror dead-set against a murder conviction, Henry Fonda had one of his greatest roles..." 03/23/2001 p.6E

Entertainment Weekly
"Fonda shines -- almost literally in a white suit -- as the soft-spoken, merciful Juror No. 8." -- Grade: A- 03/07/2008 p.75

FilmsGraded.com 8 of 10
"12 Angry Men" was Henry Fonda's sole foray into film production. Unable to get the studios to purchase the script, which he liked considerably, he funded the production himself. It was, after all, an inexpensive film to make: no sets or costumes were required. The entire film was shot on location in New York City, with nearly all of it taking place in an actual jury room...Although critically praised, the film failed at the box office. There was no action, no romance, and little suspense, as Fonda's moral superiority was certain to overcome. The film's themes, which included racial and class discrimination, were not of dramatic interest to most filmgoers...Fonda could at least bask in the critical acclaim. It was nominated for Best Director (Sidney Lumet), Best Adapted Screenplay (Reginald Rose), and Best Picture. While Fonda was not nominated for Best Actor, he was nominated as co-producer..."12 Angry Men" is surprisingly good, considering that the film consists of twelve men arguing in a room for ninety minutes. The quality of the cast and script helps, as does the dramatic storyline (the defendant's life is at state). The biggest complaint is with the characters: Cobb rants and rages as if he was back on the waterfront, while Fonda is almost smug in the certainty of his moral position. - Brian Koller
 
Chicago Sun-Times 10 of 10
In form, "12 Angry Men" is a courtroom drama. In purpose, it's a crash course in those passages of the Constitution that promise defendants a fair trial and the presumption of innocence. It has a kind of stark simplicity: Apart from a brief setup and a briefer epilogue, the entire film takes place within a small New York City jury room, on "the hottest day of the year," as 12 men debate the fate of a young defendant charged with murdering his father...The film shows us nothing of the trial itself except for the judge's perfunctory, almost bored, charge to the jury. His tone of voice indicates the verdict is a foregone conclusion. We hear neither prosecutor nor defense attorney, and learn of the evidence only second-hand, as the jurors debate it. Most courtroom movies feel it necessary to end with a clear-cut verdict. But "12 Angry Men" never states whether the defendant is innocent or guilty. It is about whether the jury has a reasonable doubt about his guilt...The cast included only one bankable star, Fonda, but the other 11 actors were among the best then working in New York, including Martin Balsam, Lee J. Cobb, E. G. Marshall, Jack Klugman, Jack Warden, Ed Begley and Robert Webber. They smoke, they sweat, they swear, they sprawl, they stalk, they get angry. - Roger Ebert