The Screen Addict | Friedkin

Watching the trailer for William Friedkin’s final film The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (2023) made me think of two tragically undervalued films by the director that already showcased his knack for courtroom Drama.

Rules of Engagement (2000) was not a huge hit despite starring A-listers Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson, and 12 Angry Men (1997) was inexplicably never even considered for a theatrical release.

12AM is obviously a remake of Sidney Lumet’s seminal classic, but don’t let that deter you. Friedkin definitely went all out with his version, and managed to snare a mouth-watering cast of characters.

Just look at this staggering lineup – Jack Lemmon, James Gandolfini, George C. Scott, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Ossie Davis, Tony Danza, Mary McDonnell, Hume Cronyn, William Petersen, Edward James Olmos, Mykelti Williamson… Just about every part in 12AM is played by a legendary actor.

I’ve always been a huge fan of Tony Danza, and it’s fun to see the actor who is, to be fair, mostly known for his TV work, more than hold his own amongst these Heavyweights of Cinema.

As someone who lives in a country that no longer applies trial by jury, it’s fascinating to see how the process works. I understand of course that 12AM is a dramatization of events, but still.

The plot is as topical today as it was 25 (or 65) years ago – 12 men must judge the fate of a young man accused of murder, but the decision stalls when one juror holds out in favor of more contemplation. As we have seen in many other films and series before and since – this is called a deadlocked or hung jury, and usually results in a mistrial.

It speaks to the quality of the script – which Reginald Rosen adapted from his own 1957 original – that none of the 12 actors playing the jurors feel underused. Everyone flies, no one falters.

Moreover, it takes a director of Friedkin’s level to make an exciting film out of a story that is largely set in a single location. 12AM has a distinct stageplay-vibe, and I’m not surprised it was released as a TV movie. I’m still convinced it could have worked as a limited theatrical release, though. There was still room for smaller movies back in 1997.

12AM does a great job of exposing the flaws of a jury trial. Are 12 random individuals really equipped and capable to decide over someone’s fate? I’m scared to think how many innocent people are in U.S. prisons right now, just because 12 civilians wanted to be home in time for dinner.

Then again – the romantic in me wants to believe that every jury has at least one Jack Lemmon (or Henry Fonda) in it, someone who dares to ask the questions that nobody wants to hear and finds reasonable doubt…

See this film. You be the judge.

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Twitter (X): Robin Logjes | The Screen Addict