After nearly 40 years of waiting for his big chance, Wilfred Morgenhall is given the case of defending Herbert Fowle who is accused of murdering his wife. Despite Fowle's insistence of guilt, Moregenhall will not let go of the opportunity to plead his client as innocent and be a star in the courtroom.
Peter Sellers
Wilfred Morgenhall
Richard Attenborough
Herbert Fowle
Beryl Reid
Doris Fowle
David Lodge
Frank Bateson
Frank Pettingell
Tuppy Morgan
Audrey Nicholson
Morgenhall's Girl
Tristram Jellinek
Mr. Perkins
Eric Woodburn
Judge Banter
John Waite
Clerk of the Court
Frank Williams
Barrister
Eric Dodson
Examiner
Director
James Hill
Screenplay
Pierre Rouve
Screenplay
Dimitri De Grunwald
Writer
John Mortimer
November 19, 2024
6
A more measured effort from Peter Sellers as solicitor "Morgenhall" makes for a better film here than I was expecting. His job is to defend Richard Attenborough ("Fowle)" who is accused of murdering his wife "Doris" (Beryl Reid). Despite being a lawyer for ages, this is his very first case in a court and oh, for the avoidance of any doubt we, the audience, know his client is as guilty as sin! James Hill allows both Sellers and Attenborough to act here; the rest of the courtroom drama style of production is basic and efficient and that just accentuates the skills on offer - great comic timing amongst them. The dialogue is manna from heaven for Sellers, and by the end I dare anyone not to have quite bit of sympathy for poor old "Fowle". It isn't a great film, you probably won't even remember it afterwards, but it passes 90 minutes engagingly enough.
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$0.00
Revenue:
$0.00