I’m sure that, for many students, watching legal films was their first exposure to and inspiration to pursue the legal field…even if the depictions weren’t accurate. But hey, that’s part of the charm! In this article, I’ll provide an overview of some of my favourite legal films.
In the Courtroom:
12 Angry Men (1957), dir. Sidney Lumet
Arguably the most iconic law film of all time, 12 Angry Men begins where any other courtroom drama would end: with the jury in deliberation. The issue at hand? A young Spanish-American man accused of murder, facing the death penalty. What initially seems to be an open-and-shut guilty verdict is slowly unravelled as Henry Fonda’s Juror #8 raises doubt on the boy’s guilt, sparking a series of intense debates and startling revelations.
Despite being produced nearly 70 years ago, 12 Angry Men remains a relevant and important exploration of the moral responsibilities we must uphold to ensure justice – and the ways that racial and personal bias can distort it.
Also Worth Exploring:
Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
The Verdict (1982)
A Few Good Men (1992)
Anatomy of a Fall (2023)
Out of the Courtroom/Legal Thrillers:
The Insider (1999), dir. Michael Mann
Based on a true story, The Insider follows former tobacco executive Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe) as he grapples with the implications of exposing his former employer's unethical practices. Teaming up with 60 Minutes’ producer Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino), Wigand faces intense pressure and threats on his family’s well being while navigating the political and legal minefield of corporate whistleblowing.
The Insider, while not a traditional legal film, highlights how the legal system can be weaponized by big corporations and showcases the ethical dilemmas that individuals challenging these powerful institutions face for the sake of society at large.
Also Worth Exploring:
The Firm (1993)
Primal Fear (1996)
Erin Brockovich (2000)
Michael Clayton (2007)
The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)
Comedy in Law:
My Cousin Vinny (1992), dir. Jonathan Lynn
This classic legal comedy follows two friends who are arrested and put on trial for a murder they didn’t commit. Lacking funds to hire a lawyer, they call on their cousin Vinny (Joe Pesci), a personal injury lawyer who just passed the bar exam after his 6th attempt and without any trial experience.
Bringing along his brash fiancé (Marisa Tomei), this unlikely legal team navigates the culture clash of the deep south; Vinny’s unorthodox methods against the rigid legal system leads to one of the most laugh-out-loud legal cinematic classics.
Also Worth Exploring:
Disorder in the Court (1936)
Adam’s Rib (1949)
Liar Liar (1997)
Legally Blonde (2001)
Intolerable Cruelty (2003)
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