12 Angry Men Review: A Classic for a Reason

12 Angry Men remains a quintessential classic film due to its innovative direction, clever screenplay, and powerhouse performances.

For this viewing, I tried to keep its cultural significance completely out of mind, and wrestle with the film on its own terms. Has 12 Angry Men truly earned its status as a classic? I am happy to report that it has.

The 1957 courtroom drama, following 12 jurors who are tasked with determining the guilt or innocence of a young man accused of murdering his father, remains innovative in a number of ways. The first way is in Lumet’s direction. While keeping a steady pace, Lumet adds shots into this story that places the movie’s themes in clearer view.

Take the opening shot, which is looking up from outside the bottom steps of the courthouse, the pillars looming over the camera. The viewer feels small in the face of this justice system, just as the 18-year-old young man feels small in the face of his likely conviction. Likewise, the closeups of the jurors’ faces key the viewers into their thoughts and emotions. Every shot is methodical. Even the cinematography adds to the storytelling. Rather than a stark black-and-white you might see in an old detective movie, 12 Angry Men lingers in the gray, revealing the complicated, not-straightforward nature of the deliberations. 

The second reason for 12 Angry Men’s classic status is its clever screenplay. The film is confined to one room, where all 12 jurors debate and argue over the boy’s innocence. That limitation can become a strength if the screenplay relies on tension between the characters. The script highlights the ideological, philosophical differences of all the jurors, from the kindhearted, questioning Juror #8 (Henry Fonda) to the brash, uncompromising Juror #3 (Lee J. Cobb). Add in twists and turns that are revealed throughout the jury’s deliberations, and the result is a tense, exciting ride even in the confines of one location.

Fonda and Cobb both give towering performances that stand the test of time, which is the third reason this film remains a classic. Fonda’s patience is shown in his eyes, while Cobb’s anger and resentment is shown in his aggrieved face and loud voice. While each juror gets his own time in the spotlight, it’s in Jurors #3 and #8 where the dramatic tension lies. What makes the characters and performances ring true is their authenticity. Odds are, we know people exactly like these characters. Lumet crafted personalities, whether young and idealistic or old and curmudgeonly, that feel as real now in 2025 as they surely did in 1957.

An easy thing to do as a film fan is to simply declare an old movie a “classic” without deep consideration as to why. “Of course Citizen Kane is great! It’s Citizen Kane!” When we do this, we limit the movie’s power and grip it can have on our lives. 12 Angry Men is great because of its filmmaking, its thematic depth, and its ability to stand the test of time. It uses powerful, subtle direction that highlights its universal themes. It utilizes a screenplay that would still feel fresh today, and it has performances that still pack a powerful punch. It’s a classic for a reason, and it’s a film that everyone should see at least once in their life.

12 Angry Men is now available to watch on digital and on demand, and on DVD & Blu-Ray.

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