Best courtroom scenes? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

SabrinaFair · 10-24-2008, 03:18 PM

Hello, all-
I am preparing for my first trial....OK, it's a mock trial for my Trial Practice course, but it's definitely my first time. As part of my preparation, I am watching courtroom scenes to pick up tactics I like. (This was actually recommended to the class by my professor) I've rented "My Cousin Vinny" and "To Kill A Mockingbird" for this weekend, as well as "Twelve Angry Men" (I figure it might give me some insight into juror psychology)

So I ask you, beloved TFP-ers--what are your favorite courtroom movies? Television shows? And what do you find effective about these fictitious lawyers? Do they give a passionate oratory? Do they have a particularly warm demeanor? I appreciate your help!

Best,
Sabrina

filtherton · 10-24-2008, 04:29 PM

Muthafuckin any episode of Law and Order.

fresnelly · 10-24-2008, 05:35 PM

To Kill a Mockingbird is an excellent choice.

Philadelphia with Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington is also excellent.

On a lighter note, try and find the South Park episode where Johnny Cochrane exploits his masterful "Chewbacca Defence"

Amaras · 10-24-2008, 05:53 PM

I saw the title and ran here as quick as I could:
To kill a ..... damn, you named it already.
Gregory Peck seemed quiet and respectful towards everyone. He slowly led us down the path, bit by bit.
Thundering oration only really works for a very few. Quiet competence and politeness go a long way in my book.
Robert Ironside (Raymond Burr) wasn't too bad, once he was in the courtroom.
Still, for a mock trial, check out Matt Damon in Rounders for how not to argue a case.

Just some ideas.

Willravel · 10-24-2008, 06:24 PM

Even though it's totally fantasy, I love Boston Legal. They could be arguing a child custody case and still, somehow, the Iraq War will get brought up in some amazing diatribe. Otherwise, I've always loved 12 Angry Men and Judgement at Nuremburg.

Still, reality and fiction don't seem to cross in this case. I've only been a juror once, but there were no impassioned speeches, no reading the witness the riot act, no dramatic and unexpected confessions on the stand. It was very much by the book. While it could be a matter of style to entertain a jury, it would be best to win the case on merits so you don't drive the judge insane.

There are several attorneys around on TFP. I'm sure they would have very good advice.

KirStang · 10-24-2008, 08:25 PM

Hey! Law student here too, 1L though. If you haven't seen it yet, there was a scene in 'Raising the bar' (I believe you can watch some of the episodes on TNT.tv), where the defense attorney came across as very affable. Something like, "I'm not going to take long, since I know we've all had a long day..." I used a similar tactic in an election speech the next week and won.

Good luck & let us know how it turns out!

Speed_Gibson · 10-24-2008, 10:09 PM

one of my favourites in the comic courtroom scene category is the Jack Benny episode from his TV show where he dreams he is on trial for killing a chicken. Perry Mason defends him and fails miserably; when Jack asks why when he always wins on his own show - " I don't know Jack, maybe I have better writers than you do."

jewels · 10-25-2008, 04:12 AM

Witness for the Prosecution, Justice For All ... so many great ones.

+1 for Raising The Bar

pig · 10-25-2008, 10:22 AM

Judd Nelson in "From the Hip." There's a book scene in the courtroom. If you watched, and remember, this movie you know the scene.

dlish · 10-25-2008, 12:16 PM

its an aussie classic movie called The Castle.

shouldnt be missed. one of my favourite movies of all time. an early eric banna movie.

spindles · 10-28-2008, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlish

its an aussie classic movie called The Castle.

shouldnt be missed. one of my favourite movies of all time. an early eric banna movie.

It's the....vibe of the thing

I love the end scene of "A Few Good Men" - good drama - not necessarily good way to act in a courtroom.

DonnieBoy · 11-03-2008, 06:04 PM

Devi's Advocate with Keannuuuuu Reeves!

Or Liar Liar with Jim Carrey's overacting! "105 pounds? Yeah in your Bra!"

levite · 11-03-2008, 08:40 PM

Just about any episode of the first few seasons of "The Practice."

Inherit The Wind
Amistad
+1 for A Few Good Men
Primal Fear, with Richard Gere and Edward Norton
Michael Clayton
I wasn't so hot on The Accused as a movie, but it does paint a good portrait of courtroom drama.
Presumed Innocent with Harrison Ford, although the novel was much better.
Anatomy of a Murder with Jimmy Stewart
The Ghosts of Mississippi
The Verdict
+1 for Witness for the Prosecution

dksuddeth · 11-12-2008, 02:19 PM

my cousin vinny?

roachboy · 11-12-2008, 02:54 PM

i like the trail sequence in the "caine mutiny"
but for bogart's speech about the strawberries mostly.

breaker morant is a great court film, if i remember correctly.
'Breaker' Morant (1980)

SabrinaFair · 11-12-2008, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dksuddeth

my cousin vinny?

More for laughs than actual preparation, but the prosecutor in that movie gives a pretty good opening argument....I took some notes on that.

Junchbailey · 11-22-2008, 08:51 PM

A Time to Kill. Samuel L Jackson makes anything awesome.

mrklixx · 11-22-2008, 10:30 PM

I just remembered one of my faves.

uncle phil · 11-24-2008, 03:39 AM

The Verdict (1982)

SabrinaFair · 11-26-2008, 01:13 PM

Update: I had my trial on Saturday. It went very well.

Unfortunately, the courtroom was double-booked, so we had to make do in a classroom. We didn't have much space, so I wasn't able to move around as much I would have liked.

kinsaj · 11-28-2008, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrklixx

I just remembered one of my faves.

I love that one too...

Not quite a courtroom scene but for some reason this topic made me think of the greed speech in the movie Wall Street. maybe helpful?

Psycho Dad · 11-28-2008, 06:02 AM

Well now that the mock trial is over with...

I love the court room scene from Big Daddy.

Sabrina... I'm curious as to how much you felt the movies helped. I've never been in a court room other than for small county situations (nothing criminal) so I don't have much experience to base off of. But I have would assumed that Hollywood depictions may not be too accurate so I was surprised that your professor recommended this.

I'd also assume as a law student you've seen real court room action. How would you say that action has compared to movies and TV?

mrklixx · 11-28-2008, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SabrinaFair

Update: I had my trial on Saturday. It went very well.

Unfortunately, the courtroom was double-booked, so we had to make do in a classroom. We didn't have much space, so I wasn't able to move around as much I would have liked.

Didja badger any witnesses? Did you get warned about being in contempt? Did the judge say "you better be going somewhere with this"?

ratbastid · 11-28-2008, 07:05 AM

I'm out of order? You're out of order! This whole court's out of order!

Leto · 11-28-2008, 09:53 AM

12 Angry Men. I just saw this screened at an MBA session on transformational leadership.

Not quite court ROOM, but evocative nonetheless.

SabrinaFair · 11-28-2008, 11:13 AM

Psycho Dad-
I wouldn't say that Hollywood depictions are "accurate" assessments of courtroom procedure. However, they can be useful tools for dissecting certain approaches to find one's own style in the courtroom. Do you want to get in the witnesses face, or act nonchalant on cross? Which hand gestures are effective? That kind of thing. I didn't base my "performance" on movies, but I used them to figure out what I find effective.

I have seen quite a bit of courtroom action. Most of what I've seen is family court, though, and not very comparable. I have seen a couple of criminal trials. There are certain aspects of them that are comparable to the movies--the passionate opening argument, the subtle attempts to trap the witness of cross, etc. There is definitely still a theatrical aspect. Then again, it may have something to do with the fact that I live in the South.

Mrkilxx-
LOL, not exactly. Our judge was pretty permissive, anyhow.

10-24-2008, 03:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
SabrinaFair Junkie Location: Louisville, KY	Best courtroom scenes? Hello, all- I am preparing for my first trial....OK, it's a mock trial for my Trial Practice course, but it's definitely my first time. As part of my preparation, I am watching courtroom scenes to pick up tactics I like. (This was actually recommended to the class by my professor) I've rented "My Cousin Vinny" and "To Kill A Mockingbird" for this weekend, as well as "Twelve Angry Men" (I figure it might give me some insight into juror psychology) So I ask you, beloved TFP-ers--what are your favorite courtroom movies? Television shows? And what do you find effective about these fictitious lawyers? Do they give a passionate oratory? Do they have a particularly warm demeanor? I appreciate your help! Best, Sabrina __________________ "With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy." -Desiderata

10-24-2008, 05:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
fresnelly Functionally Appropriate Location: Toronto	To Kill a Mockingbird is an excellent choice. Philadelphia with Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington is also excellent. On a lighter note, try and find the South Park episode where Johnny Cochrane exploits his masterful "Chewbacca Defence" __________________ Building an artificial intelligence that appreciates Mozart is easy. Building an A.I. that appreciates a theme restaurant is the real challenge - Kit Roebuck - Nine Planets Without Intelligent Life

10-24-2008, 05:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
Amaras Junkie Location: At my daughter's beck and call.	I saw the title and ran here as quick as I could: To kill a ..... damn, you named it already. Gregory Peck seemed quiet and respectful towards everyone. He slowly led us down the path, bit by bit. Thundering oration only really works for a very few. Quiet competence and politeness go a long way in my book. Robert Ironside (Raymond Burr) wasn't too bad, once he was in the courtroom. Still, for a mock trial, check out Matt Damon in Rounders for how not to argue a case. Just some ideas. __________________ Propaganda is to a democracy what the bludgeon is to a totalitarian state. -Noam Chomsky Love is a verb, not a noun. -My Mom The function of genius is to furnish cretins with ideas twenty years later. -Louis Aragon, "La Porte-plume," Traite du style, 1928

10-24-2008, 10:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
Speed_Gibson Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? Location: right here of course	one of my favourites in the comic courtroom scene category is the Jack Benny episode from his TV show where he dreams he is on trial for killing a chicken. Perry Mason defends him and fails miserably; when Jack asks why when he always wins on his own show - " I don't know Jack, maybe I have better writers than you do." __________________ Started talking to yourself I see. Yes, it's the only way I can be certain of an intelligent conversation. Black Adder

10-25-2008, 04:12 AM	#8 (permalink)
jewels Eponymous Location: Central Central Florida	Witness for the Prosecution, Justice For All ... so many great ones. +1 for Raising The Bar __________________ We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess. Mark Twain

10-24-2008, 04:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
filtherton Junkie Location: In the land of ice and snow.	Muthafuckin any episode of Law and Order.

10-24-2008, 06:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	Even though it's totally fantasy, I love Boston Legal. They could be arguing a child custody case and still, somehow, the Iraq War will get brought up in some amazing diatribe. Otherwise, I've always loved 12 Angry Men and Judgement at Nuremburg. Still, reality and fiction don't seem to cross in this case. I've only been a juror once, but there were no impassioned speeches, no reading the witness the riot act, no dramatic and unexpected confessions on the stand. It was very much by the book. While it could be a matter of style to entertain a jury, it would be best to win the case on merits so you don't drive the judge insane. There are several attorneys around on TFP. I'm sure they would have very good advice.

10-24-2008, 08:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
KirStang Future Bureaucrat	Hey! Law student here too, 1L though. If you haven't seen it yet, there was a scene in 'Raising the bar' (I believe you can watch some of the episodes on TNT.tv), where the defense attorney came across as very affable. Something like, "I'm not going to take long, since I know we've all had a long day..." I used a similar tactic in an election speech the next week and won. Good luck & let us know how it turns out!

10-25-2008, 10:22 AM	#9 (permalink)
pig pigglet pigglet Location: Locash	Judd Nelson in "From the Hip." There's a book scene in the courtroom. If you watched, and remember, this movie you know the scene. __________________ You don't love me, you just love my piggy style

10-25-2008, 12:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
dlish Currently sour but formerly Dlishs Super Moderator Location: Australia/UAE	its an aussie classic movie called The Castle. shouldnt be missed. one of my favourite movies of all time. an early eric banna movie. __________________ An injustice anywhere, is an injustice everywhere I always sign my facebook comments with ()()===========(}. Does that make me gay? - Filthy

11-03-2008, 06:04 PM	#12 (permalink)
DonnieBoy Insane	Devi's Advocate with Keannuuuuu Reeves! Or Liar Liar with Jim Carrey's overacting! "105 pounds? Yeah in your Bra!"

11-03-2008, 08:40 PM	#13 (permalink)
levite Minion of Joss Location: The Windy City	Just about any episode of the first few seasons of "The Practice." Inherit The Wind Amistad +1 for A Few Good Men Primal Fear, with Richard Gere and Edward Norton Michael Clayton I wasn't so hot on The Accused as a movie, but it does paint a good portrait of courtroom drama. Presumed Innocent with Harrison Ford, although the novel was much better. Anatomy of a Murder with Jimmy Stewart The Ghosts of Mississippi The Verdict +1 for Witness for the Prosecution __________________ Dull sublunary lovers love, Whose soul is sense, cannot admit Absence, because it doth remove That thing which elemented it. (From "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning" by John Donne)

11-12-2008, 02:19 PM	#14 (permalink)
dksuddeth Junkie Location: bedford, tx	my cousin vinny? __________________ "no amount of force can control a free man, a man whose mind is free. No, not the rack, not fission bombs, not anything. You cannot conquer a free man; the most you can do is kill him."

11-12-2008, 02:54 PM	#15 (permalink)
roachboy Super Moderator Location: essex ma	i like the trail sequence in the "caine mutiny" but for bogart's speech about the strawberries mostly. breaker morant is a great court film, if i remember correctly. 'Breaker' Morant (1980) __________________ a gramophone its corrugated trumpet silver handle spinning dog. such faithfulness it hear it make you sick. -kamau brathwaite

11-22-2008, 08:51 PM	#17 (permalink)
Junchbailey Psycho Location: Columbia Falls, MT	A Time to Kill. Samuel L Jackson makes anything awesome. __________________ Hey guys -- I finally got a semen sample after pumping on my wiener for 2 whole days

11-22-2008, 10:30 PM	#18 (permalink)
mrklixx President Rick Location: location location	I just remembered one of my faves. __________________ This post is content. If you don't like it then you are not content. Or perhaps just incontinent. This is not a link - Do not click here I hate animated avatars.

11-24-2008, 03:39 AM	#19 (permalink)
uncle phil comfortably numb... Super Moderator Location: upstate	The Verdict (1982) __________________ "We were wrong, terribly wrong. (We) should not have tried to fight a guerrilla war with conventional military tactics against a foe willing to absorb enormous casualties...in a country lacking the fundamental political stability necessary to conduct effective military and pacification operations. It could not be done and it was not done." - Robert S. McNamara ----------------------------------------- "We will take our napalm and flame throwers out of the land that scarcely knows the use of matches... We will leave you your small joys and smaller troubles." - Eugene McCarthy in "Vietnam Message" ----------------------------------------- never wrestle with a pig. you both get dirty; the pig likes it.

11-26-2008, 01:13 PM	#20 (permalink)
SabrinaFair Junkie Location: Louisville, KY	Update: I had my trial on Saturday. It went very well. Unfortunately, the courtroom was double-booked, so we had to make do in a classroom. We didn't have much space, so I wasn't able to move around as much I would have liked. __________________ "With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy." -Desiderata

11-28-2008, 06:02 AM	#22 (permalink)
Psycho Dad Mulletproof Location: Some nucking fut house.	Well now that the mock trial is over with... I love the court room scene from Big Daddy. Sabrina... I'm curious as to how much you felt the movies helped. I've never been in a court room other than for small county situations (nothing criminal) so I don't have much experience to base off of. But I have would assumed that Hollywood depictions may not be too accurate so I was surprised that your professor recommended this. I'd also assume as a law student you've seen real court room action. How would you say that action has compared to movies and TV? __________________ Don't always trust the opinions of experts.

11-28-2008, 07:05 AM	#24 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	I'm out of order? You're out of order! This whole court's out of order!

11-28-2008, 09:53 AM	#25 (permalink)
Leto Junkie Location: The Danforth	12 Angry Men. I just saw this screened at an MBA session on transformational leadership. Not quite court ROOM, but evocative nonetheless. __________________ You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey And I never saw someone say that before You held my hand and we walked home the long way You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Leto_Atreides_I

11-28-2008, 11:13 AM	#26 (permalink)
SabrinaFair Junkie Location: Louisville, KY	Psycho Dad- I wouldn't say that Hollywood depictions are "accurate" assessments of courtroom procedure. However, they can be useful tools for dissecting certain approaches to find one's own style in the courtroom. Do you want to get in the witnesses face, or act nonchalant on cross? Which hand gestures are effective? That kind of thing. I didn't base my "performance" on movies, but I used them to figure out what I find effective. I have seen quite a bit of courtroom action. Most of what I've seen is family court, though, and not very comparable. I have seen a couple of criminal trials. There are certain aspects of them that are comparable to the movies--the passionate opening argument, the subtle attempts to trap the witness of cross, etc. There is definitely still a theatrical aspect. Then again, it may have something to do with the fact that I live in the South. Mrkilxx- LOL, not exactly. Our judge was pretty permissive, anyhow. __________________ "With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy." -Desiderata