Films and documentaries about law often explore the intricacies of the legal system, courtroom drama, and the pursuit of justice. They delve into the complexities of legal cases, ethical dilemmas, and the impact of the law on individuals and society. These films and documentaries provide audiences with a glimpse into the world of law, shedding light on the challenges and moral dilemmas faced by legal professionals and those entangled in the legal system.
“To Kill a Mockingbird”, 1962
Director: Robert Mulligan
Based on Harper Lee's classic novel, this film follows the story of a young girl growing up in the racially charged South during the 1930s. Her father, a lawyer, defends a black man accused of raping a white woman, challenging the deeply entrenched prejudices of the time.
Starring: Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Phillip Alford, Frank Overton, Brock Peters, James Anderson, John Megna, Collin Wilcox Paxton, Robert Duvall, Rosemary Murphy, Ruth White, Estelle Evans, Paul Fix, Alice Ghostley, William Windom, Crahan Denton, Richard Hale, R.L. Armstrong, Walter Bacon, Eddie Baker, Bobby Barber, John Barton, Audrey Betz, Danny Borzage, John Breen, Jess Cavin, Noble «Kid» Chissell, Jack Clinton, Steve Condit, May Couch, David Crawford, Frank Ellis, Jamie Forster, Charles E. Fredericks, Raoul Freeman, Herman Hack, Jester Hairston, Chuck Hamilton, Kim Hamilton, Kim Hector, Michael Jeffers, Dick Johnstone, Chester Jones, Colin Kenny, Ethan Laidlaw, Nancy Marshall, Clyde McLeod, Charles McQuary, Charles Morton, Paulene Myers;
Production year: 1962;
Genre: drama, crime;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 129 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,3;
More information about the film “To Kill a Mockingbird” on the website imdb.com
“Erin Brockovich”, 2000
Director: Steven Soderbergh
This legal drama depicts the true story of a determined legal assistant who takes on a powerful corporation accused of contaminating a small town's water supply. Her relentless pursuit of justice against all odds makes for a compelling tale of legal advocacy.
Starring: Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, Aaron Eckhart, Peter Coyote, Cherry Jones, Tracey Walter, Conchata Ferrell, Marg Helgenberger, David Brisbin, Dawn Didawick, Valente Rodriguez, George Rocky Sullivan, Pat Skipper, Jack Gill, Irene Olga López, Emily Marks, Julie Marks, Scotty Leavenworth, Gemmenne de la Peña, Erin Brockovich-Ellis, Adilah Barnes, Irina V. Passmoore, Ron Altomare, Charles John Bukey, Randy Lowell, Jamie Harrold, Sarah Ashley, Scarlett Pomers, T.J. Thyne, Joe Chrest, Meredith Zinner, Michael Harney, William Lucking, Mimi Kennedy, Scott Sowers, Kristina Malota, Wade Williams, Cordelia Richards, Ashley Pimental, Brittany Pimental, Larry Martinez, LeRoy A. Simmons, Don Snell, Gina Gallego, Ronald E. Hairston, Veanne Cox, Scott Allen, Sheila Shaw, Matthew Kimbrough;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 126 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Erin Brockovich” on the website imdb.com
“The Thin Blue Line”, 1988
Director: Errol Morris
A documentary that investigates the case of a man wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of a police officer. Through interviews and reenactments, the film raises questions about the reliability of witness testimony and the role of law enforcement in the criminal justice system.
Starring: Randall Adams, David Harris, Gus Rose, Jackie Johnson, Marshall Touchton, Dale Holt, Sam Kittrell, Hootie Nelson, Dennis Johnson, Floyd Jackson, Edith James, Dennis White, Don Metcalfe, Emily Miller, R.L. Miller, Elba Carr, Michael Randell, Melvyn Carson Bruder, Ron Adams, John Dillinger, James Grigson, Mark Mays, Douglas Mulder, Anna Sage, Teresa Turko, Henry M. Wade, Robert Wood, Amanda Caprio, Michael Cirilla, Adam Goldfine, Derek Horton, Marianne Leone, Michael Nicoll, Phyllis Rodgers, Ron Thornhill;
Production year: 1988;
Genre: documentary, crime;
Duration: 101 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “The Thin Blue Line” on the website imdb.com
“The Verdict”, 1982
Director: Sidney Lumet
Starring Paul Newman, this courtroom drama follows an alcoholic lawyer who takes on a medical malpractice case that could potentially revive his career. The film delves into themes of redemption, integrity, and the pursuit of justice within the legal system.
Starring: Paul Newman, Charlotte Rampling, Jack Warden, James Mason, Milo O'Shea, Lindsay Crouse, Ed Binns, Julie Bovasso, Roxanne Hart, James Handy, Wesley Addy, Joe Seneca, Lewis J. Stadlen, Kent Broadhurst, Colin Stinton, Scott Rhyne, Susan Benenson, Evelyn Moore, Juanita Fleming, Jack Collard, Ralph Douglas, Gregor Roy, John Blood, Dick McGoldrick, Edward Mason, Patty O'Brien, Maggie Task, Joseph Bergmann, Herbert Rubens, J.P. Foley, Leib Lensky, H. Clay Dear, J.J. Clark, Gregory Doucette, Tony LaFortezza, Marvin Beck, Herb Peterson, Margie Anderson, Tobin Bell, Murphy Cross, Kevin Fennessy, Willow Hale, Jon Hopwood, Cullen O. Johnson, Joan Tolentino, Bruce Willis;
Production year: 1982;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 129 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “The Verdict” on the website imdb.com
“13th”, 2016
Director: Ava DuVernay
This documentary explores the intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States. Through archival footage and expert interviews, the film examines the historical and social factors that have contributed to the disproportionate incarceration of African Americans.
Starring: Melina Abdullah, Michelle Alexander, Cory Booker, Dolores Canales, Gina Clayton, Jelani Cobb, Malkia Cyril, Angela Davis, Craig DeRoche, David Dinkins, Baz Dreisinger, Kevin Gannon, Henry Louis Gates Jr., Marie Gottschalk, Newt Gingrich, Lisa Graves, Cory Greene, John Hagan, Michael Hough, Van Jones, David Keene, Glenn E. Martin, Marc Mauer, Khalil Gibran Muhammad, Pat Nolan, Dorsey Nunn, Liza Jessie Peterson, Charles Rangel, Kyung-Ji Rhee, Rashad Robinson, Shaka Senghor, Bob Sloan, Deborah Small, Bryan Stevenson, Ken Thompson, Nicholas Turner, Daniel Wagner, Joe Atkins, Lee Atwater, Tom Brokaw, Kalief Browder, Carolyn Bryant, Roy Bryant, Philando Castile, Stephen Colbert, Walter Cronkite, Richard Allen Davis, Bob Dole, Sam DuBose, Michael Dukakis;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: documentary, crime, history;
Duration: 100 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,2;
More information about the film “13th” on the website imdb.com
These films and documentaries offer a diverse range of perspectives on the law, shedding light on its impact on individuals and society while raising thought-provoking questions about justice, ethics, and the pursuit of truth.
In conclusion, films and documentaries about law serve as powerful vehicles for exploring the complexities of justice, morality, and the human experience within the legal system. Whether they depict high-stakes courtroom dramas, expose systemic injustices, or provide deep dives into landmark cases, these works not only entertain but also provoke critical thought and discussion about the implications of law in society. By examining the nuances of legal battles and the lives they impact, these films challenge viewers to reflect on their own beliefs about justice and the role of the law, making them essential viewing for anyone interested in the intersections of culture, ethics, and governance.
