In an attempt to prove his innocence, Leonard, a former soldier, who suffers from unemployment, who struggles against being accused of murdering an old but wealthy single woman, hires a well-known lawyer, but when his wife testifies against him, everything changes.
Every time the story strays from Sir Wilfrid, the interest level goes down a notch. Fortunately for the viewer, it doesn't get away from him very long at any point.
This Oscar-nominated courtroom drama represents Billy Wilder at his most theatrical and old-fashioned, but the saga is enjoyable and so is the acting of all-star cast.
His theatrical mise-en-scene -- his proscenium framing -- serves the material well, as does Charles Laughton's bombastic portrayal of the defense attorney.
