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Trial film is a of the that encompasses films that are centered on a or , typically a trial by jury.Rafter, Nicole. 2001. "American Criminal Trial Films: An Overview of Their Development, 1930–2000". Journal of Law and Society 28(1):9–24. .

The trial genre differs from the broader courtroom drama in that the latter includes any film in which a justice system plays an integral role in the film's narrative, and thus does not necessarily require the inclusion of a legal trial.

Notable films
In 1989, the American Bar Association rated the 12 best trial films of all time in their , providing a detailed and reasoned legal evaluation for its choices. Ten of the films are in English; M (1931) is in German and The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) is a French silent film. Moreover, ten of them take place (at least, in part) in a courtroom.

In 2008, the American Film Institute compiled its own "courtroom drama" top-ten list, five films of which were also on the ABA list.

The ABA also published a list of the 12 best trial stageplays, noting that the transition from film to the stage is sometimes difficult. It also has an extensive honorable mention list.

1957American Bar Association (ABA);

American Film Institute (AFI)

Nominated for 3 .
A Cry in the Dark1988Nominated for an Academy Award, based on a real trial.
A Few Good Men1992AFI
1966Nominated for 8 Academy Awards, winning 6. Based on a real trial.
In Cold Blood1967Nominated for 4 Academy Awards. Based on a real trial.
1959Nominated for 7 Academy Awards. Based on a real trial.
1960Nominated for 4 Academy Awards. Based on a real trial.
1961ABANominated for 11 Academy Awards, winning 2. Based on a .
Kramer vs. Kramer1979Nominated for 9 Academy Awards, winning 5 of them.
1931ABA
1957ABABased on a real court-martial.
1928ABABased on a real trial.
1962ABA
1957ABABased on a real trial.
1962Nominated for 8 Academy Awards, winning 3.
1982Nominated for 5 Academy Awards.
Witness for the Prosecution1957Nominated for 6 Academy Awards.

Varieties
Aside from the first few minutes of the film, 12 Angry Men (1957) does not take place in a courtroom. It views the particular case and the system of justice through the prism of jury deliberations. The film explains practical explications of legal concepts basic to the American system of justice, and their effect on a particular trial and defendant. Those include the presumption of innocence, burden of proof, and the requirement of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

The trial in M (1931) does not take place in a legal courtroom; rather, crime syndicate leaders along with the city's underground hold proceedings in a warehouse. Despite the lack of legal trappings, "it is one of the most effective trials ever filmed, questioning our notions of justice and revenge, and order, power and responsibility." Wearing long leather coats instead of robes, criminals become judges. The murderer is cast as the victim, while the forces of law and order must rely on luck. strikingly raises the issue of his culpability due to alleged insanity, and the imposition of ultimate retributive justice is depicted as being unsatisfying for society and the survivors of the murdered victims.

Courtroom films are typically , but there have been several centering around trials, including Adam's Rib, My Cousin Vinny, and .

Military trial films
The military trial film is a subtype of the trial genre that focuses on military trials (i.e., ).

They typically include conflicting questions of loyalty, command responsibility, ethical rules and rules of engagement, obedience to superior authority, politics and class conflict. and trials are good foils for one another. The struggles are perennial and engaging. A partial list includes:

Based on the 1951 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Caine Mutiny by , the film depicted the strongly contested court-martial of the executive officer of the U.S. Navy destroyer minesweeper USS Caine Lieutenant Stephen Maryk () for against Lieutenant Commander Philip Francis Queeg () in the during World War II and a particularly dynamic cross-examination, in which Captain Queeg acts out one of film's most dramatic meltdowns.
black and white depiction of a corrupt World War I French court martial leading to a firing squad, and a 'futility of war' conclusion. It was directed by , starring as the failed defense attorney.
and were nominated for an for the theme song, "Town Without Pity", which was sung by .
In the trenches in France during World War I, a British captain () has to defend a private (), who is charged with desertion. The film was directed by .
A court martial of soldiers, including Harry 'Breaker' Morant, by their British commanders in the aftermath of the in . The film details the tribulations of the defense counsel and the defendants, as they try to throw a wrench into the administrative gears of Morant's court martial. Anticipating the and the defense of "", the soldiers' main defense is that they were doing their duty as they understood it, and following orders and policy from above. Nevertheless, this "" moves to its inevitable conclusion. The film was nominated for an Academy Award.
released after the ABA's list was compiled, the film contains the famous "You can't handle the truth" exchange. Excerpt of cross examination in A Few Good Men. The film was adapted from a Broadway play written by (who also wrote the screenplay), and acted by , and .
Marine Colonel Terry Childers (Samuel L. Jackson) is brought to court-martial on charges of disobeying the rules of engagement in a military incident at an American embassy in , with flashbacks to .
a based on the backdrop of the , and directed by Samar Khan starring and Kay Kay Menon in lead roles.
a based on Soorya Krishna Moorthy's stage play of the same name, which itself was based on the play Court Martial by .
It is based on the life of , an American singer and actor who during World War II broadcast Nazi propaganda to US troops and their families back home.
The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial2023Another adaptation of the novel The Caine Mutiny, where Lieutenant Commander Queeg was portrayed by Kiefer Sutherland and Lieutenant Maryk was portrayed by . The mutiny is set in the in December 2022 instead of the Pacific War in World War II as set in the book and the 1954 film.

Religious trial films
  • God on Trial (2008) is a / television play that takes place in during World War II. The Jewish prisoners put God on trial in absentia for abandoning the Jewish people by allowing Nazi Germany to commit .
  • The Passion of the Christ (2004), in which Jesus Christ (played by ) is alternately tried by and and ultimately executed by Pilate. Nominated for three Academy Awards.
  • The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941) features as the Devil arguing for a man's soul. Huston was nominated for the Best Actor in a Leading Role .
  • Solomon and Sheba (1959) portrays the famous Judgment of Solomon from the .
  • The Man Who Sued God (2001), an Australian film starring who takes God (represented by the church) to court for compensation over the destruction of his fishing boat due to an "act of God".
  • Inherit the Wind (1960), starring , , and , is an American film set in a small religious town where a teacher begins to teach , and goes to court for his right to teach such.
  • The Trial of Joan of Arc, a 1962 French historical drama film
  • The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005), directed by , is an American courtroom drama horror film loosely based on the story of . It follows a self-proclaimed defense lawyer representing a who is accused by the state of negligent homicide after he performed an . The film, which largely takes place in a courtroom, depicts the events leading up to and including the exorcism through flashbacks.
  • (1996) is a drama film written by and based on his play of the same name, loosely dramatising the Salem witch trials. It was directed by and stars as John Proctor, as Abigail Williams, as Judge , and as Elizabeth Proctor.

Historical trial films
Historical trial films are noted for frequently taking dramatic liberties with historical accounts for the purposes of simplifying the storyline, exaggerating dramatic effects, or pressing a point with the audience.
  • An American Tragedy, a 1931 drama directed by Josef von Sternberg, based on the historic 1906 murder of Grace Brown by at Big Moose Lake in upstate New York.
  • The Prisoner of Shark Island, a 1936 biopic directed by , loosely based on the life of Maryland physician , who treated the injured presidential assassin John Wilkes Booth and later spent time in prison after his controversial conviction for being one of Booth's accomplices.
  • They Won't Forget, a 1937 drama film directed by , providing a fictionalized account of the trial and subsequent of after the murder of Mary Phagan in 1913.
  • Young Mr. Lincoln, a 1939 biopic of directed by John Ford.
  • The Letter, a 1940 film directed by , inspired by the Ethel Proudlock case, a real-life scandal involving the Eurasian wife of the headmaster of a school in who was convicted in a murder trial after shooting dead a male friend.
  • Boomerang, a 1947 American crime semidocumentary film based on the true story of a vagrant ( in real life, John Waldron in the film) accused of murdering a clergyman.
  • The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing, a 1955 American fictionalized account of model and actress , who became embroiled in the scandal surrounding the June 1906 murder of her paramour, architect , by her husband, rail and coal tycoon Harry Kendall Thaw.
  • The Accused (1988), a legal drama starring , loosely based on the 1983 gang rape case of .
  • JFK (1991) is an American conspiracy- that examines the events leading to the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and it alleged cover-up, through the eyes of former district attorney . The film culminates in the 1969 trial of businessman for his alleged participation in a conspiracy to assassinate the president.
  • In the Name of the Father, a 1993 biographical film based on the true story of the Guildford Four, four people falsely convicted of the 1974 Guildford pub bombings that killed four off-duty British soldiers and a civilian.
  • Murder in the First, a 1995 American legal drama that tells the alternate history of a petty criminal named who is sent to Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary and later put on trial for murder in the first degree
  • Amistad (1997) is a , directed by , based on the true story of an uprising in 1839 by newly-captured African slaves that took place aboard the ship off the coast of Cuba, the subsequent voyage to the northeastern United States, and the legal battle that followed their capture by a U.S. . It was nominated for four .
  • A Civil Action (1998) is a film based on the 1996 of the same name. It stars and , the latter having been nominated for Best Supporting Actor for the film.
  • Find Me Guilty, a 2006 comedy-drama based on the true story of the trial of , the longest Mafia trial in American history.
  • Flash of Genius, a 2008 American biographical drama film focusing on (played by ) and his legal battle against the Ford Motor Company after they developed an intermittent windshield wiper based on Kearns' patented invention.
  • Bernie (2011) is a film based on the real-life 1996 murder of 81-year-old millionaire Marjorie Nugent in Carthage, Texas by her companion . Tiede having been extremely well-liked in his local community, the film explores the trial process and the popular support he received, which caused great difficulties for the prosecution.
  • , a 2018 American drama film based on real life events about , a physician and highly atypical provider who was convicted of first degree murder in the deaths of three infants born alive.
  • The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020) is a legal drama focused on the trial of the so-called '' in the late 1960s to early 1970.

Comedies
  • , a 1934 comedy directed by .
  • Roxie Hart, 1942 comedy directed by .
  • In Miracle on 34th Street (1947) Kris Kringle () has his sanity examined at a hearing. The film won 4 Academy Awards, with Gwenn winning for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. The film was also nominated for Best Picture.
  • Adam's Rib, a 1949 comedy directed by .
  • Divorce Italian Style, a 1961 comedy-drama film directed by .
  • (1978) is a Turkish comedy drama film starring , Şener Şen, Müjde Ar, Adile Naşit, İhsan Yüce, İlyas Salman and Erdal Özyağcılar.
  • From the Hip (1987) is a Comedy Drama starring , Elizabeth Perkins, , and about a first year lawyer manipulating his way into trying a case much earlier in his career than is normal. Much of the humor took place in the first case, a simple assault case in which he garnered significant media attention and developed a high profile for himself and attention to his firm. The more dramatic second case was a murder case which tested the young attorney's ethics.
  • A Fish Called Wanda, a 1988 heist comedy film following a gang of diamond thieves who double-cross one another to recover stolen diamonds hidden by their jailed leader. In an effort to locate the diamonds, one of the thieves seduces the barrister defending the leader.
  • My Cousin Vinny, a 1992 comedy film about an inexperienced personal injury lawyer who is hired to represent his cousin and the cousin's friend, who have been put on trial for a murder they did not commit.
  • , a 1997 American satirical fantasy comedy film starring Jim Carrey as a lawyer who built his entire career on lying but finds himself cursed to speak only the truth for a single day.
  • , a 2001 American romantic comedy film about a sorority girl who attempts to win back her ex-boyfriend by following him to Harvard Law School, culminating in her defending a fellow sorority member on trial for murder.
  • Chicago, a 2002 satirical musical comedy film adapted from the 1975 stage musical of the same name, centered on the fictional cause célèbre trial of a woman who killed her paramour.

Other examples
  • Fury, a 1936 drama directed by .
  • Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, a 1936 film by .
  • The Return of Frank James, a 1940 western directed by Fritz Lang.
  • The Devil and Daniel Webster, a 1941 fantasy film directed by .
  • The Ox-Bow Incident, unusual in that the trial does not take place in a formal court room, but is a vote among a posse that turns into a lynch mob. Directed by William A. Wellman, and starring (who also starred in Twelve Angry Men). It was nominated for in 1943.
  • Leave Her to Heaven, a 1945 film noir directed by John M. Stahl.
  • The Lady from Shanghai, a 1947 film noir directed and starring .
  • The Paradine Case, a 1947 film noir directed by .
  • Pinky, a 1949 film directed by .
  • Knock on Any Door, a 1949 American courtroom trial film noir directed by Nicholas Ray and starring Humphrey Bogart.
  • , a 1950 film directed by .
  • A Place in the Sun, a 1951 drama film directed by .
  • The Sun Shines Bright, 1953 remake directed by John Ford.
  • The Phenix City Story, a 1955 film noir crime film directed by .
  • Trial, a 1955 American drama film about a Mexican boy accused of rape and murder; originally victimized by prejudiced accusers, he becomes a pawn of his communist defender, whose propaganda purposes would be best served by a verdict of guilty.
  • The Tattered Dress, a 1957 film noir crime film centering on two trials, the first of a wealthy man charged with a murder, and the second of the wealthy man's defense attorney, who is framed for bribing a juror in the first case.
  • Gunman's Walk, a 1958 western directed by Phil Karlson.
  • I Confess, a 1953 American directed by .
  • The Wreck of the Mary Deare is told in flashbacks as witnesses give their account of a story during an proceeding.
  • Compulsion, a 1959 film directed by Richard Fleischer.
  • Sergeant Rutledge, a 1960 western directed by John Ford.
  • It Started in Naples, a 1960 film directed by Melville Shavelson.
  • La Vérité, a 1960 film directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot.
  • The Boys, a 1962 British courtroom drama film revolving around four teenagers trial for the murder of a garage night watchman in the course of a burglary
  • The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, a 1962 western directed by John Ford.
  • The Last Wave (released in the United States as Black Rain), a 1977 Australian mystery drama film directed by , Variety film review; 16 November 1977, p. 21. about a white solicitor in whose seemingly normal life is disrupted after he takes on a murder case and discovers that he shares a strange, mystical connection with the small group of local Aboriginal people accused of the crime.
  • ...And Justice for All (1979), directed by and nominated for 2 Academy Awards, examines the flawed and human, , and immoral side of justice, focusing on all-too-human judges. As wrote, the film "is a sweeping – and somewhat simple-minded – indictment of the American justice system." The film can be seen from the perspective of Judicial Qualifications Commissions (also known as Judicial Tenure Commissions), which are judicial agencies charged with overseeing judicial performance and conduct. From that end, the indictment of the courts and judicial system (and the examples) are not so outlandish as might be supposed. Starred , , and .

  • A Passage to India, a 1984 film set in colonial India: a doctor is wrongly accused of a sexual assault by an English newcomer

  • Suspect, a 1987 American legal starring as Kathleen Riley, a beleaguered D.C. assigned to represent homeless veteran Carl Wayne Anderson () accused of a murder because he was seen sleeping in the victim's car the night of her murder.
  • Music Box, a 1989 film about a Hungarian-American immigrant accused of having been a , and defended by his daughter, an .
  • Presumed Innocent (1990) is a film directed by Alan J. Pakula, adapted from the novel of the same name by , in which an assistant district attorney () is on trial, framed for the murder of another assistant DA (). The film received several nominations for its screenplay, written by Alan J. Pakula and .
  • Q & A, a 1990 American written and directed by , based on a novel by New York State Supreme Court judge Edwin Torres.
  • The Trial, a 1993 British film directed by David Hugh Jones and starring and .
  • , a 1993 American period romantic drama directed by Jon Amiel set in the Reconstruction era following the American Civil War.
  • The Client a 1994 American directed by , and starring , Tommy Lee Jones and in his film debut. It is based on the novel of the same name by . The film was released in the on July 20, 1994. The movie features an all star cast. Sarandon nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress and won a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
  • Primal Fear (1996) is a film, directed by , that tells a story of a defense attorney () who defends an () charged with the murder of a Catholic archbishop. The film is an adaptation of 's novel of the same name. Norton was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his career-launching role.
  • A Time to Kill (1996) is a feature film adaptation of 's 1989 legal drama of the same name.
  • , a 1996 American film starring as a single mother picked for jury duty for a trial, and as a mobster sent to intimidate her.
  • The Rainmaker (1997) is a feature film adaptation of 's 1995 legal thriller of the same name. It stars , , , Mary Kay Place, , , , , , and in her final film role.
  • , a 2003 American film adaptation of the novel The Runaway Jury, "Runaway Jury (2003) Film Review; Courtroom Confrontation With Lots of Star Power" The New York Times the film pits lawyer Wendell Rohr () against shady jury consultant Rankin Fitch (), who uses unlawful means to stack the jury with people sympathetic to the defense.
  • Fracture, a 2007 psychological legal crime thriller film.
  • The Trial, a 2010 drama film based on the novel of the same name by , centered on a murder trial.
  • The Lincoln Lawyer, a 2011 American legal thriller film starring Matthew McConaughey as an attorney who typically defends low-end criminals
  • The Judge, a 2014 American legal drama film starring Robert Downey Jr. as a hotshot lawyer defending his father, an aging judge played by , against a vehicular manslaughter charge.
  • The Trial (2014) is a legal drama film that tells the story of a mentally handicapped man who is accused of rape by the family of a teacher on whom he has a crush. It stars John Lloyd Cruz, , Gretchen Barretto, and , and was produced by as part of their 20th anniversary offering.
  • New Trial (2017) a South Korean drama film written and directed by Kim Tae-yoon, starring
  • , a 2024 American jukebox musical psychological thriller film directed by Todd Phillips and starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, loosely based on DC Comics characters. It is the sequel to the 2019 film, Joker, and centers on the criminal trial for the events of the former film.

  • Other films named The Trial

See also
  • The Andersonville Trial
  • Films and television programmes based on Alice in Wonderland - Due to the courtroom scenes in various adaptations (taken from the last two chapters of the first book).

Further reading

External links
  • 807 "Best trial movies" at Internet Movie Database, which brings a worldwide perspective, but also lumps in some movies that do not quickly come to mind as "trial movies".

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