Witness for the prosecution (1957) outline
Witness for the Prosecution (1957) - Detailed Plot Summary
Witness for the Prosecution is a suspenseful courtroom thriller directed by Billy Wilder, based on Agatha Christie's 1953 play. The film revolves around the trial of Leonard Vole, a man accused of murdering a wealthy widow, Emily French, who had left him the beneficiary of her fortune. The story is filled with twists, deception, and unexpected turns, leading to a shocking and tragic conclusion.
The Setup
Senior barrister Sir Wilfrid Robarts (Charles Laughton), who is nearing retirement after suffering a heart attack, is persuaded to take on the case of Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power). Sir Wilfrid’s private nurse, Miss Plimsoll (Una O'Connor), and his doctor have warned him against taking on stressful cases, but he ultimately agrees to defend Leonard, who is accused of murdering Emily French (Norma Varden), a wealthy, childless widow. Emily French had become infatuated with Leonard and made him the main beneficiary of her will.
When Sir Wilfrid meets Leonard’s wife, Christine (Marlene Dietrich), he finds her to be cold, composed, and somewhat distant. While she provides an alibi for Leonard, it is not entirely convincing. During the trial, the prosecution introduces testimony that Mrs. French had seen Leonard with a younger woman and had planned to confront him. Despite these damning details, Sir Wilfrid believes Leonard is innocent and sets out to disprove the charges.
The Twist: Christine’s Testimony
Things take a shocking turn when Christine is called to the stand as a witness for the prosecution. As a wife, she cannot be compelled to testify against her husband, but it is revealed in court that her marriage to Leonard is invalid. She was already married to another man, Otto Helm, who is still alive and living in Germany. Christine explains that she had married Leonard in a ceremony to escape from Soviet-controlled territory and come to the West. She claims that she never loved Leonard, and her conscience compels her to tell the truth.
Christine testifies that Leonard confessed to her that after being confronted by Mrs. French about his relationship with a younger woman, he killed Emily to avoid being disinherited from her will.
This revelation puts Leonard’s defense in jeopardy, and Sir Wilfrid fears that his client will inevitably be convicted and sentenced to hang. However, the case takes another unexpected turn.
The Breakthrough: The Letters
Just when it seems all is lost, Sir Wilfrid is contacted by a woman who offers him letters written by Christine to a lover named Max. The woman claims that she had been attacked and disfigured by her lover, Max, and that she had found the letters, which are genuine. Sir Wilfrid realizes that Christine and Max had conspired to frame Leonard for the murder.
During cross-examination, Sir Wilfrid reads the letters aloud, which disclose Christine’s plot with Max. The letters reveal that Christine had played a role in discrediting her own testimony in order to free Leonard. The jury is swayed by this new information, and Leonard is acquitted of murder, much to the delight of the crowd.
The Shocking Revelation and Final Twist
Despite Leonard’s acquittal, Sir Wilfrid remains troubled by the case. His worries prove justified when Christine, who is brought into the courtroom for safety after being accosted by the departing crowd, confesses to him what she had done to secure Leonard’s acquittal. She reveals that she had posed as a hateful, deceitful wife in order to make her testimony seem untrustworthy to the jury.
Christine also admits that she had written the letters to a fake lover, Max, and had played the disfigured woman who gave the letters to Sir Wilfrid. This plan was orchestrated to destroy her own credibility and ensure Leonard’s release. Although Leonard had confessed to her about the murder, Christine had always known he was guilty, but she still loved him and had acted to protect him.
Leonard’s True Nature and Christine’s Revenge
Upon overhearing Christine’s confession, Leonard smugly boasts that he had indeed killed Mrs. French. He reveals that he had been manipulating the entire situation and is not the innocent man he appeared to be. Leonard even admits to having been two-timing Christine with the younger woman whom Mrs. French had seen.
Leonard (to Christine, smugly):
"Oh, Christine, you’ve saved me. We’re even now, you and I. I saved your life, and you saved mine. Now, I’m going to leave you for her."
Christine, devastated by Leonard's cruelty and betrayal, quietly listens to his gloating. Leonard then casually mentions that although Christine will now be tried for perjury, he will not be punished for the murder due to England's double jeopardy laws.
As Leonard prepares to leave, Christine, in a final act of despair and revenge, picks up a knife and stabs him to death. She then stands, emotionless, as she is arrested by the police.
Sir Wilfrid’s Reflection
In the final scene, Sir Wilfrid, deeply shocked by the tragedy that has unfolded, reflects on the case. He speaks to Miss Plimsoll, saying that while Leonard’s manipulation and Christine’s actions led to this outcome, he must defend her in court. Sir Wilfrid declares that Christine did what she did not as a cold-blooded murderer, but as someone who had executed justice for Leonard’s betrayal.
Sir Wilfrid (to Miss Plimsoll, reflecting on Christine’s actions):
"She executed him, Miss Plimsoll. That’s all. She did what had to be done."
Themes and Legacy
Witness for the Prosecution explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, deception, and justice. The film cleverly manipulates audience expectations, using courtroom drama and character psychology to create a series of twists that ultimately reveal the tragic nature of the relationships between Leonard and Christine.
The film’s ending is a perfect example of the moral ambiguity of the characters, as Christine, though guilty of murder, acts out of deep emotional pain and a desire for retribution. Leonard, on the other hand, remains a manipulative, self-serving individual, ultimately paying the price for his actions.
The performances by Charles Laughton, Marlene Dietrich, and Tyrone Power are outstanding, with Laughton’s portrayal of Sir Wilfrid Robarts earning special praise for his warmth, intelligence, and ultimate despair.
The film remains a classic, beloved for its complex characters, its brilliant plot twists, and its exploration of the human capacity for both good and evil.