Witness for the Prosecution (1957 film)

Witness for the Prosecution
Original release poster
Directed by	Billy Wilder
Produced by	Arthur Hornblow Jr.
Screenplay by	Larry Marcus Billy Wilder Harry Kurnitz
Based on	The Witness for the Prosecution 1925 story by Agatha Christie
Starring	Tyrone Power Marlene Dietrich Charles Laughton
Music by	Matty Malneck Ralph Arthur Robert
Cinematography	Russell Harlan
Edited by	Daniel Mandell
Production company	Edward Small Productions
Distributed by	United Artists
Release date	December 17, 1957 (Limited U.S. release) 30 January 1958 (Premiere, London)
Running time	116 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$3 million
Box office	$9 million

Witness for the Prosecution is a 1957 American courtroom drama film with film noir elements directed by Billy Wilder, set in the Old Bailey in London. The film, based on the play of the same name by Agatha Christie, deals with the trial of a man accused of murder. The first film adaptation of this story, it stars Tyrone Power (in his final screen role), Marlene Dietrich, and Charles Laughton, and features Elsa Lanchester. The film was adapted by Larry Marcus, Harry Kurnitz and Billy Wilder.

Sir Wilfrid Robarts (Charles Laughton), a master barrister in ill health, takes on Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power) as a client, despite the objections of his private nurse, Miss Plimsoll (Elsa Lanchester), who says the doctor warns him against taking on any criminal cases. Vole is accused of murdering Mrs Emily French (Norma Varden), a rich, older widow who had become enamoured with him, going so far as to make him the main beneficiary of her will. Strong circumstantial evidence points to Vole as the killer, but Sir Wilfrid believes Vole is innocent.

When Sir Wilfrid speaks with Vole's German wife Christine (Marlene Dietrich), he finds her rather cold and self-possessed, but she does provide an alibi. Therefore, he is greatly surprised when she is called as a witness for the prosecution. While a wife cannot be compelled to testify against her husband, Christine was in fact still married to a German man when she wed Leonard (who was in the Royal Air Force and part of the occupation forces in Germany). She testifies that Leonard admitted to her that he had killed Mrs French, and that her conscience forced her to finally tell the truth.