Studio One (1948) s07e01 Episode Script
Twelve Angry Men
1 ANNOUNCER: Westinghouse.
"Westinghouse Studio One.
" JUDGE: Murder in the first degree, premeditated homicide, is the most serious charge tried in our criminal courts.
You've heard a long and complex case, gentlemen, and it is now your duty to sit down to try and separate the facts from the fantasy.
One man is dead.
The life of another is in your hands.
If there is a reasonable doubt in your minds as to the guilt of the accused, then you must declare him not guilty.
If, however, there is no reasonable doubt then he must be found guilty.
Whichever way you decide, the verdict must be unanimous.
I urge you to deliberate honestly and thoughtfully.
You are faced with a grave responsibility.
Thank you, gentlemen.
The jury will retire.
[ Footsteps departing .]
Uh, pardon me.
[ Horn honks .]
Gum? You know something? It's hot.
You'd think they'd at least air-condition this place, wouldn't you? Iâd like to have dropped dead in that courtroom.
Okay, gentlemen, everybody's here.
If there's anything you want, Iâm right outside.
Just knock.
I never knew they locked the door.
Sure, they lock the door.
What do you think? I don't know.
It just never occurred to me.
That's all.
[ Clears throat .]
Six days.
They should have finished it in two.
Talk, talk, talk.
You ever hear so much talk about nothing? Well, I guess they're entitled.
Everybody gets a fair trial.
Well, as a system, I suppose you can't say anything against it.
[ Coughs, clears throat .]
What's the matter? You got a cold? Yeah.
These hot-weather colds will kill you, you know.
[ Knocking on table .]
FOREMAN: All right, gentlemen, let's take seats.
In order, please.
Okay.
Better make this fast.
I got a couple of seats for "The Seven Year Itch" tonight.
I must be the only guy in the whole world who hasn't seen it yet.
Okay, Your Honor, start the show.
[ Clears throat, sniffs .]
How about sitting down? The gentleman at the window.
-How about sitting down, please? -Oh, sorry.
Well, it's rather hard to figure here, then.
A kid kills his father.
Bang! Like that.
Well, it must be the element.
Everybody here? The old man's in the other room.
We'd like to get started.
Oh, uh, uh, forgive me, gentlemen.
I didn't mean to keep you waiting.
All right, all right, just take your seat, please.
All right, you gentlemen can work this any way you want to.
By that, I mean Iâm not going to give you any rules.
-You can discuss it -Well, uh, let's vote now.
Who knows? Maybe we can all go home.
Yeah, let's find out who's where.
Anybody doesn't want to vote? -Okay.
-[ Clears throat .]
All those voting "guilty," raise your right hands.
[ Clears throat .]
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 8, 9, 10, 11.
That's 11 for guilty.
So, who's voting "not guilty"? One.
Okay.
It's 11 to 1 for "guilty.
" Now we know where we are.
Somebody's in left field.
Do you think he's not guilty? Well, I don't know.
I never saw a guiltier man in my life.
You sat right in the courtroom, heard the same thing we did.
That man's a dangerous killer.
You could see it.
Well, he's a 19-year-old boy.
That's old enough to knife his own father.
They proved it.
Did you believe him? I don't know if I believed him or not.
Maybe I didn't.
Well, so, what did you vote "not guilty" for? Well, there were 11 votes for "guilty.
" I don't know.
It just isn't so easy for me to hold up my hand and send a boy off to die without, uh, talking about it a little.
Who says it's easy for me? I didn't say it was easy for you.
What, just because I voted fast? I think the kid's guilty.
You couldn't change my mind if you talked for a hundred years.
Look, Iâm not trying to change your mind.
Iâm just trying to say that I think we should, uh, talk about it a little.
This kid's been kicked around all of his life.
I mean, raised in a slum.
His mother's been dead since he was 9 years old.
That's not a very good head start.
What's that got to do with the price of coffee? I just feel that we owe him a few words.
-That's all Iâm -Oh, all right.
We're all grown-ups here.
You're not trying to tell us that we're supposed to believe his story, knowing what he is.
Iâve lived among them all my life.
You can't believe a word they say.
You know that.
That's a terrible thing for a man to believe! Since when is dishonesty a group characteristic? All right, it's not Sunday.
We don't need a sermon.
But what this man says is very dangerous.
I don't see any need for arguing like this.
I think we ought to be able to behave like gentlemen.
JUROR #7: Right.
If we're gonna discuss the case, let's discuss the facts.
I think that's a good point.
We have a job to do.
Let's do it.
[ European accent .]
If you gentlemen don't mind, Iâm going to open the window more.
[ Coughs, clears throat .]
I felt the need for some air.
Perhaps if we each took a turn You know, try it on for size? That's a good idea.
Supposing we go once around the table, huh? -Okay, let's get started.
-Right.
Well, I guess you're first.
[ Clears throat .]
Oh, oh.
WellI just think he's guilty.
I thought it was obvious.
I mean, nobody proved otherwise.
Nobody has to prove otherwise.
The burden of proof is on the prosecution.
The defendant doesn't have to open his mouth.
That's in the Constitution.
Well, sure, I know that.
What I meant was, is Well, I just think he was guilty.
Okay, let's get to the facts.
Number one, let's take the old man who lived downstairs, on the second floor, in the room right underneath where the killing took place.
At 10 minutes after 12:00 on the night of the murder, he heard loud noises in the upstairs apartment.
He said it sounded like a fight.
Then he heard the kid say to his father, "Iâm gonna kill you.
" A second later, he heard a body falling.
And he ran to the door of his apartment, looked out, and saw the kid running down the stairs and out of the house.
That's when he called the police.
They found the father with a knife in his chest.
[ Chuckles .]
Now, what else do you want? JUROR #4: The boy's entire story is flimsy.
He claims he was at the movies.
Now, that's ridiculous.
He couldn't even remember the names of the pictures he saw.
Well, what about the woman across the street? If her testimony doesn't prove anything, nothing does.
-Let's go in order.
-Now, wait a minute! Wait a minute.
Wait a minute.
Now, here's a woman who's in bed.
She can't sleep.
It's hot, you know? Anyway, she looks out her window, across the street, and sees the kid stick the knife into his father.
She's known the kid all his life.
Now, this is right across the street.
She looks through the window, across the el tracks, and sees him do it.
She swore that she saw him do it.
Through the windows of a passing elevated train.
Well, it was proved in court that you can look through the windows of a passing elevated train and see what's happening on the other side at night.
-It was proven! -Let me ask you something.
How come you believe her? She's just one of them, too, isn't she? You're a pretty smart young fellow.
Just a minute.
Hold on.
Wait a minute.
What are you letting him get you all upset for? Relax.
Let's all just calm down.
It's your turn.
UmIâll pass it.
That's your privilege.
How about you? Well, uh Well, I don't know.
When, uh When you look at it, what more is there to say? Well, look, I got something to say.
I think we're just wasting our time.
Look at the kid's record.
When he was 15 years old, he was in reform school.
He stole a car.
Then they pick him up for knife fighting.
I think they said he stabbed somebody in the arm.
This is a very fine boy.
Ever since he was 5 years old, his father's beat him up regularly.
He used his fists.
Well, so would I with a kid like that.
That's right.
It's the kids.
I got a kid.
When he was 8 years old, he ran away from a fight.
I saw him.
I told him right out, "Iâm gonna make a man out of you, or Iâm gonna bust you into little pieces trying.
" Then when he was 15 years old, he hit me in the face.
He's big, you know? Kids.
You work your heart out.
I haven't seen him in three years.
Come on.
Let's get on with it.
We're missing the point here.
We're not dealing with juvenile delinquency.
This boy.
Let's say he's the product of a filthy neighborhood and a broken home.
We can't help that.
We're not here to go into the reasons why slums are breeding grounds for criminals.
They are.
I know it.
You know it.
You said something there, mister.
I don't want any part of them, believe me.
Iâve lived in a slum all of my life.
JUROR #10: Oh, wait a second! I used to play in a backyard that was filled with garbage.
Maybe it still smells on me, huh? Look, there's nothing personal here.
There is something personal here.
Come on.
He didn't mean you, fella.
Let's not get so sensitive.
I can understand his sensitivity.
Look, let's stop this bickering.
We're wasting time.
It's your turn.
Oh, well, I, um I had a peculiar feeling about the trial.
I felt that the, uh the boy or the, uh, counsel for the defense, uh, didn't make a thorough enough cross-examination.
There were too many questions left unasked.
Well, what about the ones that were asked? For instance, let's talk about that cute little switch knife.
You know, the one that nice, honest kid admitted buying.
All right, let's, uh let's talk about that.
Iâd like to see that knife, if I could, again, Mr.
Foreman.
Could we get it in here? We all know what it looks like.
I don't see why we have to look at it again.
What do you think? The gentleman has the right to view exhibits in evidence.
Okay with me.
This knife is a pretty important piece of evidence.
Don't you agree? Oh, yes.
Yes, I do.
The boy admits buying a switch knife that night at a neighborhood store at about 8:00.
When the storekeeper was arrested, he identified the knife as the only one of its kind that he had in stock.
Why did the boy get it? As a present for a friend of his, he says.
Am I right so far? -Right, absolutely.
-You bet you're right.
Now, listen to this man.
He knows what he's talking about.
Next, the boy claims, on the way home, the knife must have dropped through a hole in his pocket because he never saw it again.
Now, there's a story, gentlemen.
You all know what happened.
The boy took the knife home and, a few hours later, stabbed his father and even remembered to wipe off the fingerprints.
There you are.
Thank you.
Everyone connected with the case has identified this knife.
Now, are you trying to tell me that someone picked it up off the street, went to the boy's house, and stabbed the father just to be amusing? No, no, Iâm just saying that it is possible that the boy lost the knife and that somebody else stabbed his father with a similar knife.
I just say it's possible.
Take a look at that knife.
That's a very strange knife.
Aren't you trying to make us accept a pretty incredible piece of coincidence? JUROR #8: Iâm not trying to make you accept anything.
I just say it's possible.
JUROR #3: And I say it's not possible.
What are you trying to do? Yeah, what is this? Who do you think you are? Look, everybody Look at it.
Look at it.
It's the same knife.
Where did you get it? I bought it in a little junk shop around the corner from the kid's house last night.
$2.
Now, listen to me.
You pulled a real smart trick here, but you proved absolutely zero.
Maybe there are 10 knives like that.
So what? Maybe there are.
The boy lied, and you know it.
Maybe he lied.
I don't know.
-Do you think he lied? -That's a stupid question.
Of course he lied! Do you think he lied? I don't know.
Say, what do you think you're gonna accomplish? If you get stubborn and hang this jury, they'll just try the kid again and find him guilty, as sure as he's born.
Well, you're probably right about that.
So, what are you gonna do about it? We could be here all night! It's only one night.
A man may die because of us.
Well, whose fault is that? Look, why don't we take this again step-by-step? What I mean is if you have the piece of evidence Look, nobody forced the kid to kill his father! How do you like that guy? Nobody forced him to do it! [ Indistinct arguing .]
I can't understand a word! Must we all talk at once? He's right.
I think we just ought to get on with it.
Now, everybody sit down.
What do you say? You're the one that's holding up the show.
All right, Iâve got a proposition to make.
[ Coughs .]
I want to call for another vote, and I want you 11 gentlemen to vote by secret ballot.
Iâll abstain.
And if there are still 11 votes for "guilty," I won't stand alone anymore.
We'll take in a "guilty" verdict right away.
Okay, let's do it.
Sounds fair.
Everyone agreed? Pass these along.
ANNOUNCER: We return now to "Westinghouse Studio One" and "Twelve Angry Men.
" [ Horns honking .]
[ Clears throat .]
[ Paper rustling .]
FOREMAN: Guilty.
Guilty.
Guilty.
Guilty.
Guilty.
Guilty.
Guilty.
Guilty.
Guilty.
Not guilty.
JUROR #10: How do you like that? FOREMAN: Guilty.
Who was that? I think we got a right to know! I know who it was.
It's all this slick preacher.
Tears your heart out with stories about a poor little slum kid who just couldn't help becoming a murderer.
And you change your vote.
If that isn't the most the most ridiculous Now hold it.
Hold it.
Hold it.
Hold it.
Hold it.
Please, please, I would like to say something here.
I have always thought that a man was entitled to have unpopular opinions in this country.
This is the reason I came here.
In my own country, I am ashamed to say Look, what are we supposed to do now, listen to the whole history of your country? JUROR #7: Yeah, look, let's stick to the subject.
I want to ask you.
What made you change your vote? JUROR #9: He didn't change his vote.
I did.
Maybe you'd like to know why, hmm? JUROR #3: No, we wouldn't want to know why.
FOREMAN: The man wants to talk.
Thank you.
This gentleman chose not to stand alone against us.
Well, that's his right.
He left the responsibility entirely up to us.
He gambled for support, and I gave it to him.
All right, now the speech is over.
Let's go on.
Look, buddy, I got a little excited.
You know how it is.
I didn't mean to get nasty or personal.
Sure.
Hey.
Hey, you.
Iâd like to ask you something.
If the kid didn't kill him, who did? Well, we're not concerned with anyone else here.
Our job is just to figure out whether the boy who's on trial here is guilty.
Guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Now, that's a very important thing to remember.
Everybody's a lawyer! You said a mouthful.
Look, the old man heard the kid yell, "Iâm gonna kill you.
" A second later, he heard the father's body falling.
He saw the kid running out of the house 15 seconds after that.
That's right.
And let's not forget the woman across the street.
She saw the killing.
Now, if that doesn't convince you Iâm sorry.
It's not enough for me.
The woman saw the killing through the moving cars of an elevated train.
The train had five cars, and she saw it through the last two cars.
She remembers the most insignificant details.
What are you gonna say about that? I don't know.
It just doesn't sound right to me.
Well suppose you think about it.
Here, lend me your pencil.
There.
It's your turn.
Might as well pass the time.
-Now, wait a minute.
-This isn't a game! Who do you think you are? Iâve got a good mind to walk around this table and belt him! Please, please! I don't want anyone hurt! [ Indistinct arguing .]
Now, listen.
Take it easy! -It don't mean anything! -How about sitting down? Get back to your seat.
Who does he think he is? Sit down.
Wait a minute.
Now, just Now, look at this sketch.
Now, there's an elevated train with five cars.
Now, that elevated train was going past the old man's window at the exact second of the killing, according to the woman across the street.
Do you know what kind of a noise that makes? Now, remember the old man's testimony.
"Iâm gonna kill you," and then one second later one second he heard a body fall.
Now, just think about that for a minute.
Do you think it's possible he could have heard this boy say, "Iâm gonna kill you" with an elevated train roaring past the end of his nose? What do you mean? Sure, he could have heard it.
He could? He said the kid yelled it out.
That's enough for me.
JUROR #9: I don't think he could have heard it.
Maybe he didn't hear it.
I mean, with the el noise and all.
What are you people talking about? You're calling the old man a liar? -Well, it stands to reason -You're crazy.
Why would he lie? What's he got to gain? Attention, maybe.
You keep coming up with these bright sayings.
Why don't you send one in to a newspaper? They pay $2.
Why might he have lied, sir? Go ahead.
You have a right to speak.
Well, it's just that I looked at him for a very, very long time.
He was a very, very old man with a torn jacket.
And he carried two canes.
Now, this is a quiet, frightened, insignificant man who has been nothing all his life and who have never had any recognition.
Nobody knows him after 75 years.
Gentlemen, that is a very, very sad thing.
A man like this needs to be recognized, to be quoted just once.
This is very important.
That's the most fantastic thing I ever heard in my life.
How can you make up things like that? What do you know about it? I speak from experience.
Is there anything else? [ Coughs .]
Anybody want a cough drop? Come on.
Let's get on with it.
Oh, yeah, Iâll take a cough drop.
Now, look, Iâve got something to say.
Now, I think that we've proved that the old man couldn't possibly have heard the boy say, "Iâm gonna kill you.
" But let's suppose that he did hear it, that he really did hear it.
Now, this phrase How many times has each of you used it? "Junior, if you do that again, Iâm gonna kill you.
" We say it every day.
It doesn't actually mean that you're gonna kill somebody.
Now, wait a minute! The phrase was "Iâm going to kill you.
" And the kid shouted it out at the top of his lungs.
Anybody says a thing like that the way he said it, they mean it.
And how they mean it! Do you think he'd shout out so the whole neighborhood would hear it? I don't think he would.
He's too bright for that.
Bright? Why, he's nothing but a common, ignorant slob.
He don't even know how to speak English! He doesn't even know how to speak English.
Iâd like to change my vote to "not guilty.
" -FOREMAN: You sure? -JUROR #5: Yes, Iâm sure.
FOREMAN: The vote is now 9 to 3 in favor of "guilty.
" JUROR #7: Oh, brother! You come in here and pull stories out of the thin air.
I suppose now we're supposed to believe that the old man didn't get up out of bed, didn't run to the door, and didn't see the kid go down the stairs 15 seconds after the killing.
He's only saying he did to be important? Well, wait.
Wait.
Wait a minute.
Wait a minute.
Did the old man say that he ran to the door? Ran, walked.
What's difference does it make? He got there.
[ Fingers snap .]
Where was the old man's bedroom again? Down the hall a ways.
You're supposed to remember everything.
Don't you remember that? No.
Mr.
Foreman, could we see the diagram of that apartment again, please? Why don't we run this whole trial all over again so that you can get everything straight? -Mr.
Foreman, could we please -l heard you.
[ Clears throat .]
All right, what is all this? How come you're the only one in the room that has to see exhibits all the time? If we have to wade through all that nonsense about where the body was found We don't.
We're just gonna try to find out how an old man who's had two strokes in three years and walks with a couple of canes can get up and get out of bed and get through the front door in 15 seconds.
-He said 20 seconds.
-No, he said 15.
How long does he know How does he know about 15 seconds? How can you judge a thing like that? He said 15.
He was very positive about it.
He's an old man.
You saw him.
Half the time he was confused.
How can he be positive about anything? That's right.
May I, please? Thank you.
Now, uh Look, uh, will you do me a favor? Wake me up when this is all over.
All right, now, here is the apartment where the killing took place.
As you remember, the old man's apartment is beneath and exactly the same.
Now, here's the elevated train, a bedroom, a bedroom, living room, bathroom, kitchen.
And here's that hallway and front door.
Now, the old man says that he was in bed in this room, right? He got up, went through the hallway, out to the front door, and opened it just in time to see the boy come rushing down the stairs, hmm? Now, his bed is at this window.
And it is, uh 12 feet from his bed to the bedroom door.
And the length of the hall is [ Muttering .]
uh, 43 feet, 6 inches.
Now, he would have had to get out of bed, uh, get his canes right? walk 12 feet, open the bedroom door, walk 43 feet, open the front door, and all in 15 seconds.
Now, do you think that's possible? You know it's possible.
He can only walk very slowly.
They had to help him into the witness chair.
You make it sound like a long walk.
It's not.
Here, just, uh Iâm gonna try something here.
Iâm just gonna find out how long it took him.
Let's see.
Iâm gonna pace off the length of his bedroom.
That's 12 feet, yeah.
You're crazy.
You can't reconstruct a thing like that.
Perhaps if we could see it.
This is an important point.
It's a ridiculous waste of time.
Well, let him do it! Hand me this chair right here, would you, please? Now, let's assume that this chair here is the bedroom door of the old man's room.
From this chair to the door of this room here and back is40 feet.
Well, anyway, it's shorter than the length of the hallway.
-Wouldn't you say that? -A few feet, maybe.
Oh, this is absolutely insane! What makes you think you can prove that? Well, let me try it.
According to the testimony, it'll only take 15 seconds.
Surely we can spare that.
Now, you got a watch with a second hand? -l have.
-Oh, good.
Now, when you want me to start, stamp your foot.
That'll be the body falling.
And just time me from there.
Oh, yeah, and let's say that he keeps his canes right close by the bedside.
All right.
Okay, Iâm ready.
Any Just a second.
Go! Oh, come on.
Speed it up.
Speed it up.
The old man walked twice as fast as that! I think this is even faster than the old man walked.
Okay, okay, if you want me to walk faster, I will.
Stop.
What's the time? Just a second.
So, the 20 exactly 28 seconds.
28 seconds? It's my guess that the old man was trying to get to the front door.
He heard someone rushing down the stairs, and he assumed that it was the boy assumed it.
Sure, sure, I think that's possible.
Assumed? Now, listen to me, you people.
Iâve seen lots of dishonesty in my day, but this little display takes the cake.
Tell him, will you? What's the matter with you people? The kid's guilty! He's got to burn! We're letting him slip through our fingers here.
Slip through our fingers? Who are you, his executioner? Iâm one of them.
Maybe you'd like to pull the switch.
For this kid? You bet Iâd like to pull the switch! -Well, Iâm sorry for you.
-Don't start with me.
How it must feel to want to pull a switch.
Shut up.
You want this boy to die because you personally want it, not because of the facts.
-Shut up.
-You're a sadist.
-Shut up! -Wait! Wait! Hold it! Let me go! Iâm gonna kill him! Iâll kill him! You don't actually mean that you'll kill me, do you? ANNOUNCER: We return now to "Westinghouse Studio One" and "Twelve Angry Men.
" [ Horns honking .]
Anything wrong, gentlemen? I heard some noise.
No, there's nothing wrong.
Well, what are you looking at? I don't see why we have to behave like children.
Nor do I.
We have a responsibility.
This is the remarkable thing about democracy, that we are What's the word? Notified that we are notified by mail to come down to this place and decide about the guilt or innocence of a man we have not known before.
We have nothing to gain or lose by our verdict.
This is one of the reasons why we are strong.
We should not make it a personal thing.
Well, we're still nowhere.
Anyone have an idea? Well, uh, how about trying another vote? Mr.
Foreman? It's all right with me.
Anybody who doesn't want to vote? All right.
Supposing I call off your jury numbers? I vote guilty.
Number 2? Not guilty.
Number 3? Guilty! Number 4? Guilty.
Number 5? Not guilty.
Number 6? Not guilty.
-Number 7? -Guilty! -Number 8? -Uh, not guilty.
-Number 9? -Not guilty.
Number 10? Guilty.
Number 11? Not guilty.
Number 12? Guilty.
The vote is 6 to 6.
I tell you the crime is being committed right in this room! Iâm ready to walk into court right now and declare a hung jury! I go for that, too.
Let the kid take his chance with 12 other guys.
Do you mean you still don't think there's room for a reasonable doubt? No, I don't.
I beg your pardon.
Maybe you do not understand the term "reasonable doubt.
" What do you mean I don't understand it? Who do you think you're talking to me? The nerve of this guy! He comes running over here for his life, and before he gets a deep breath, he starts telling us how to run the show.
The arrogance of him! Now, now, wait a minute.
Now, nobody's asking where you came from.
I was born right here! Or where your father came from.
Maybe it wouldn't hurt us to take a few tips from people who come running here.
Maybe they learn something we don't know.
We're none of us that perfect.
FOREMAN: Look, let's stop the arguing.
Now, who's got something constructive to say? Well, there's one thing that's been bothering me a little, and that's the whole business about this stab wound, the way it was made, the downward angle of it.
Oh, don't tell me we're going to start that again.
They went over it and over it in court.
I know they did, but I don't happen to go along with it.
Now, this boy is 5'8" inches tall.
His father was 6'2".
Now, that's a difference of 6 inches.
It seems to me a very awkward thing to stab down into the chest of a man who's half a foot taller than you are.
Look, you're not going to be satisfied till you see it again.
Iâll give you a demonstration.
Somebody stand up.
Okay.
Now watch this.
I don't want to have to do it again.
Is that 6 inches? That's more than 6 inches.
All right, let it be more.
-[ Indistinct shouting .]
-Easy! -Hey, that's not funny! -What's the matter with you? Now, just calm down, will you? Nobody's hurt, are they? No, no, nobody's hurt.
All right, there's your angle.
Take a look at it.
Down and in.
That's how it was done.
Down and in.
I guess there's no argument, huh? Uh, look, I want you to watch something here for just a moment, please.
Now Now, doesn't that seem like an awkward way to handle a knife? -That's what Iâve been saying.
-Wait.
Wait.
Now, watch this.
Carefully.
Wait a minute.
Give me the knife.
Did you ever see a knife fight? Yes, I have, in my own neighborhood, too many of them.
It's funny I didn't think about it before.
I guess you try to forget things like that.
Anybody who's ever handled a switchblade before would never have stabbed downward.
You don't use a switchblade that way.
You use it underhand.
Well, then, he couldn't have made the kind of wound that killed his father.
Not if he'd ever had any experience with switchblades, no.
-I don't believe it.
-I don't, either.
You're giving us a lot of mumbo jumbo.
What do you think? UhI don't know.
What about you? Look, I want to tell you something.
Iâm getting a little sick of this whole thing already.
Let's break it up and go home.
Iâm changing my vote to "not guilty.
" -You're what? -You heard me.
What kind of a man are you, playing like this with a human being's life, simply because there are some theater tickets burning a hole in your pocket? This is an ugly and terrible thing to do.
Look, you can't talk like that to me.
I can talk like that to you.
If you want to vote "not guilty," then do so because you are convinced that the man is not guilty, not because you are in a hurry.
Look, I don't have to tell you why Iâm Don't you have the guts? Say it.
Why do you vote "not guilty"? Because.
I don't think he's guilty.
I want another vote now.
All right, there's another vote called for.
I guess the quickest way would be by a show of hands.
Everyone agree? All right, all those voting "not guilty," raise your hands.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Those voting "guilty," raise your hands.
The vote is 9 to 3, in favor of acquittal.
I can't understand you people.
How can you believe that this kid is innocent? You know how these people lie.
I don't have to tell you that.
They don't know what the truth is.
They They Look, and I want to tell you another thing.
They don't need any big reason to kill somebody, either.
They drink, and they get into a fight and bang! Somebody's lying in the gutter.
Nobody can blame them because that's the way they are.
Don't you see what I mean? They're violent.
Human life doesn't mean as much to them as it does to us.
Where are you going? Look, these people are drinking and fighting all the time.
And if somebody gets killed, somebody gets killed.
They don't care.
Most of them Well, it seems they they haven't got any feelings.
They, uh They'll do anything.
Say, what's going on here? Listen to me.
There isn't one of them that's got any good in him, not one of them.
You listen to what I tell you.
That kid that's on trial there.
Don't you know about them? What are you doing? Look, Iâm trying to tell you something here, and you won't even listen to me.
I I Iâve had enough.
You open your mouth again, and Iâll split your skull.
All right, everybody, sit down.
I still think the boy is guilty, and Iâll tell you why.
The most damning piece of evidence came from that woman who said that she actually saw the murder committed.
That's right.
As far as Iâm concerned, that's the most important testimony.
JUROR #4: She went to bed at about 11:00 that night.
Her bed was right at the open window.
She could look across the street and into the other window.
She tossed and turned for about an hour, unable to sleep.
Finally, at about 12:10, she turned toward the window, looked across the street, and saw the boy stab his father.
Now, to me, that's unshakable testimony.
That's what I mean.
That's the whole case! Frankly, I don't see how you can vote for acquittal.
What do you think? Well, maybe There's so much evidence to sift.
But you can throw out all the other evidence.
That was my feeling.
Does anybody know the correct time? My watch seems to have stopped.
1 minute of 6:00.
It's that late? You don't suppose they could let us go home and finish this tomorrow, do you? I got a kid at home with the mumps.
Not a chance.
Pardon me.
Can't you see that clock without your glasses? Well, not too clearly.
Why? Well, what do you do when you wake up at night and you want to know what time it is? What are you talking about? I put on my glasses and look at the clock.
And you don't wear your glasses to bed? Are you crazy? Nobody wears glasses to bed.
What's all this for? Well, I was just thinking.
The woman who testified that she saw this killing wears glasses.
Well, she wouldn't wear the glasses to bed, would she? Now, wait a minute.
Wait a minute.
Did she wear glasses at all? I don't seem to remember.
Of course she did.
The woman wore bifocals.
I remember this very clearly.
They looked quite strong.
She did wear glasses.
Funny.
I forgot.
She wasn't wearing her glasses in bed.
That's for sure.
You're right.
She testified that, in her tossing and turning, she rolled over and looked casually out the window, and the crime was taking place as she looked out.
And a split second later, the lights went out.
She couldn't have had time to put on her glasses.
Look, I think that this women honestly thought that she saw this boy kill his father, but Iâll tell you what she really saw.
A blur, just a blur.
How do you know what she saw? How does he know all these things? Well, does anybody still say that there's not at least a reasonable doubt? No.
Well, I think he's guilty! Anybody else? No, Iâm convinced.
You're alone.
I don't care whether Iâm alone or not.
I have a right.
Yes, you do.
You have a right.
Well, I told you.
I think he's guilty.
Now, what else do you want? Your arguments.
I gave you my arguments.
But we're not convinced.
We want to hear them again.
We have the time.
Listen, what's the matter with you? You're the guy.
You've made all the arguments.
You can't turn now.
Stick with me.
Iâm sorry.
There's a reasonable doubt in my mind.
We're waiting.
Well, you're not going to intimidate me! I got a right to my opinion! It'll be a hung jury! That's it! Well, there's nothing we can do about that, except hope that some night, a few months from now, you'll get some sleep.
Now you're all alone.
It takes a great deal of courage to stand alone.
All right! They're waiting.
JUDGE: Murder in the first degree, premeditated homicide, is the most serious charge tried in our criminal courts.
You've heard a long and complex case, gentlemen, and it is now your duty to sit down to try and separate the facts from the fantasy.
One man is dead.
The life of another is in your hands.
If there is a reasonable doubt in your minds as to the guilt of the accused, then you must declare him not guilty.
If, however, there is no reasonable doubt then he must be found guilty.
Whichever way you decide
"Westinghouse Studio One.
" JUDGE: Murder in the first degree, premeditated homicide, is the most serious charge tried in our criminal courts.
You've heard a long and complex case, gentlemen, and it is now your duty to sit down to try and separate the facts from the fantasy.
One man is dead.
The life of another is in your hands.
If there is a reasonable doubt in your minds as to the guilt of the accused, then you must declare him not guilty.
If, however, there is no reasonable doubt then he must be found guilty.
Whichever way you decide, the verdict must be unanimous.
I urge you to deliberate honestly and thoughtfully.
You are faced with a grave responsibility.
Thank you, gentlemen.
The jury will retire.
[ Footsteps departing .]
Uh, pardon me.
[ Horn honks .]
Gum? You know something? It's hot.
You'd think they'd at least air-condition this place, wouldn't you? Iâd like to have dropped dead in that courtroom.
Okay, gentlemen, everybody's here.
If there's anything you want, Iâm right outside.
Just knock.
I never knew they locked the door.
Sure, they lock the door.
What do you think? I don't know.
It just never occurred to me.
That's all.
[ Clears throat .]
Six days.
They should have finished it in two.
Talk, talk, talk.
You ever hear so much talk about nothing? Well, I guess they're entitled.
Everybody gets a fair trial.
Well, as a system, I suppose you can't say anything against it.
[ Coughs, clears throat .]
What's the matter? You got a cold? Yeah.
These hot-weather colds will kill you, you know.
[ Knocking on table .]
FOREMAN: All right, gentlemen, let's take seats.
In order, please.
Okay.
Better make this fast.
I got a couple of seats for "The Seven Year Itch" tonight.
I must be the only guy in the whole world who hasn't seen it yet.
Okay, Your Honor, start the show.
[ Clears throat, sniffs .]
How about sitting down? The gentleman at the window.
-How about sitting down, please? -Oh, sorry.
Well, it's rather hard to figure here, then.
A kid kills his father.
Bang! Like that.
Well, it must be the element.
Everybody here? The old man's in the other room.
We'd like to get started.
Oh, uh, uh, forgive me, gentlemen.
I didn't mean to keep you waiting.
All right, all right, just take your seat, please.
All right, you gentlemen can work this any way you want to.
By that, I mean Iâm not going to give you any rules.
-You can discuss it -Well, uh, let's vote now.
Who knows? Maybe we can all go home.
Yeah, let's find out who's where.
Anybody doesn't want to vote? -Okay.
-[ Clears throat .]
All those voting "guilty," raise your right hands.
[ Clears throat .]
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 8, 9, 10, 11.
That's 11 for guilty.
So, who's voting "not guilty"? One.
Okay.
It's 11 to 1 for "guilty.
" Now we know where we are.
Somebody's in left field.
Do you think he's not guilty? Well, I don't know.
I never saw a guiltier man in my life.
You sat right in the courtroom, heard the same thing we did.
That man's a dangerous killer.
You could see it.
Well, he's a 19-year-old boy.
That's old enough to knife his own father.
They proved it.
Did you believe him? I don't know if I believed him or not.
Maybe I didn't.
Well, so, what did you vote "not guilty" for? Well, there were 11 votes for "guilty.
" I don't know.
It just isn't so easy for me to hold up my hand and send a boy off to die without, uh, talking about it a little.
Who says it's easy for me? I didn't say it was easy for you.
What, just because I voted fast? I think the kid's guilty.
You couldn't change my mind if you talked for a hundred years.
Look, Iâm not trying to change your mind.
Iâm just trying to say that I think we should, uh, talk about it a little.
This kid's been kicked around all of his life.
I mean, raised in a slum.
His mother's been dead since he was 9 years old.
That's not a very good head start.
What's that got to do with the price of coffee? I just feel that we owe him a few words.
-That's all Iâm -Oh, all right.
We're all grown-ups here.
You're not trying to tell us that we're supposed to believe his story, knowing what he is.
Iâve lived among them all my life.
You can't believe a word they say.
You know that.
That's a terrible thing for a man to believe! Since when is dishonesty a group characteristic? All right, it's not Sunday.
We don't need a sermon.
But what this man says is very dangerous.
I don't see any need for arguing like this.
I think we ought to be able to behave like gentlemen.
JUROR #7: Right.
If we're gonna discuss the case, let's discuss the facts.
I think that's a good point.
We have a job to do.
Let's do it.
[ European accent .]
If you gentlemen don't mind, Iâm going to open the window more.
[ Coughs, clears throat .]
I felt the need for some air.
Perhaps if we each took a turn You know, try it on for size? That's a good idea.
Supposing we go once around the table, huh? -Okay, let's get started.
-Right.
Well, I guess you're first.
[ Clears throat .]
Oh, oh.
WellI just think he's guilty.
I thought it was obvious.
I mean, nobody proved otherwise.
Nobody has to prove otherwise.
The burden of proof is on the prosecution.
The defendant doesn't have to open his mouth.
That's in the Constitution.
Well, sure, I know that.
What I meant was, is Well, I just think he was guilty.
Okay, let's get to the facts.
Number one, let's take the old man who lived downstairs, on the second floor, in the room right underneath where the killing took place.
At 10 minutes after 12:00 on the night of the murder, he heard loud noises in the upstairs apartment.
He said it sounded like a fight.
Then he heard the kid say to his father, "Iâm gonna kill you.
" A second later, he heard a body falling.
And he ran to the door of his apartment, looked out, and saw the kid running down the stairs and out of the house.
That's when he called the police.
They found the father with a knife in his chest.
[ Chuckles .]
Now, what else do you want? JUROR #4: The boy's entire story is flimsy.
He claims he was at the movies.
Now, that's ridiculous.
He couldn't even remember the names of the pictures he saw.
Well, what about the woman across the street? If her testimony doesn't prove anything, nothing does.
-Let's go in order.
-Now, wait a minute! Wait a minute.
Wait a minute.
Now, here's a woman who's in bed.
She can't sleep.
It's hot, you know? Anyway, she looks out her window, across the street, and sees the kid stick the knife into his father.
She's known the kid all his life.
Now, this is right across the street.
She looks through the window, across the el tracks, and sees him do it.
She swore that she saw him do it.
Through the windows of a passing elevated train.
Well, it was proved in court that you can look through the windows of a passing elevated train and see what's happening on the other side at night.
-It was proven! -Let me ask you something.
How come you believe her? She's just one of them, too, isn't she? You're a pretty smart young fellow.
Just a minute.
Hold on.
Wait a minute.
What are you letting him get you all upset for? Relax.
Let's all just calm down.
It's your turn.
UmIâll pass it.
That's your privilege.
How about you? Well, uh Well, I don't know.
When, uh When you look at it, what more is there to say? Well, look, I got something to say.
I think we're just wasting our time.
Look at the kid's record.
When he was 15 years old, he was in reform school.
He stole a car.
Then they pick him up for knife fighting.
I think they said he stabbed somebody in the arm.
This is a very fine boy.
Ever since he was 5 years old, his father's beat him up regularly.
He used his fists.
Well, so would I with a kid like that.
That's right.
It's the kids.
I got a kid.
When he was 8 years old, he ran away from a fight.
I saw him.
I told him right out, "Iâm gonna make a man out of you, or Iâm gonna bust you into little pieces trying.
" Then when he was 15 years old, he hit me in the face.
He's big, you know? Kids.
You work your heart out.
I haven't seen him in three years.
Come on.
Let's get on with it.
We're missing the point here.
We're not dealing with juvenile delinquency.
This boy.
Let's say he's the product of a filthy neighborhood and a broken home.
We can't help that.
We're not here to go into the reasons why slums are breeding grounds for criminals.
They are.
I know it.
You know it.
You said something there, mister.
I don't want any part of them, believe me.
Iâve lived in a slum all of my life.
JUROR #10: Oh, wait a second! I used to play in a backyard that was filled with garbage.
Maybe it still smells on me, huh? Look, there's nothing personal here.
There is something personal here.
Come on.
He didn't mean you, fella.
Let's not get so sensitive.
I can understand his sensitivity.
Look, let's stop this bickering.
We're wasting time.
It's your turn.
Oh, well, I, um I had a peculiar feeling about the trial.
I felt that the, uh the boy or the, uh, counsel for the defense, uh, didn't make a thorough enough cross-examination.
There were too many questions left unasked.
Well, what about the ones that were asked? For instance, let's talk about that cute little switch knife.
You know, the one that nice, honest kid admitted buying.
All right, let's, uh let's talk about that.
Iâd like to see that knife, if I could, again, Mr.
Foreman.
Could we get it in here? We all know what it looks like.
I don't see why we have to look at it again.
What do you think? The gentleman has the right to view exhibits in evidence.
Okay with me.
This knife is a pretty important piece of evidence.
Don't you agree? Oh, yes.
Yes, I do.
The boy admits buying a switch knife that night at a neighborhood store at about 8:00.
When the storekeeper was arrested, he identified the knife as the only one of its kind that he had in stock.
Why did the boy get it? As a present for a friend of his, he says.
Am I right so far? -Right, absolutely.
-You bet you're right.
Now, listen to this man.
He knows what he's talking about.
Next, the boy claims, on the way home, the knife must have dropped through a hole in his pocket because he never saw it again.
Now, there's a story, gentlemen.
You all know what happened.
The boy took the knife home and, a few hours later, stabbed his father and even remembered to wipe off the fingerprints.
There you are.
Thank you.
Everyone connected with the case has identified this knife.
Now, are you trying to tell me that someone picked it up off the street, went to the boy's house, and stabbed the father just to be amusing? No, no, Iâm just saying that it is possible that the boy lost the knife and that somebody else stabbed his father with a similar knife.
I just say it's possible.
Take a look at that knife.
That's a very strange knife.
Aren't you trying to make us accept a pretty incredible piece of coincidence? JUROR #8: Iâm not trying to make you accept anything.
I just say it's possible.
JUROR #3: And I say it's not possible.
What are you trying to do? Yeah, what is this? Who do you think you are? Look, everybody Look at it.
Look at it.
It's the same knife.
Where did you get it? I bought it in a little junk shop around the corner from the kid's house last night.
$2.
Now, listen to me.
You pulled a real smart trick here, but you proved absolutely zero.
Maybe there are 10 knives like that.
So what? Maybe there are.
The boy lied, and you know it.
Maybe he lied.
I don't know.
-Do you think he lied? -That's a stupid question.
Of course he lied! Do you think he lied? I don't know.
Say, what do you think you're gonna accomplish? If you get stubborn and hang this jury, they'll just try the kid again and find him guilty, as sure as he's born.
Well, you're probably right about that.
So, what are you gonna do about it? We could be here all night! It's only one night.
A man may die because of us.
Well, whose fault is that? Look, why don't we take this again step-by-step? What I mean is if you have the piece of evidence Look, nobody forced the kid to kill his father! How do you like that guy? Nobody forced him to do it! [ Indistinct arguing .]
I can't understand a word! Must we all talk at once? He's right.
I think we just ought to get on with it.
Now, everybody sit down.
What do you say? You're the one that's holding up the show.
All right, Iâve got a proposition to make.
[ Coughs .]
I want to call for another vote, and I want you 11 gentlemen to vote by secret ballot.
Iâll abstain.
And if there are still 11 votes for "guilty," I won't stand alone anymore.
We'll take in a "guilty" verdict right away.
Okay, let's do it.
Sounds fair.
Everyone agreed? Pass these along.
ANNOUNCER: We return now to "Westinghouse Studio One" and "Twelve Angry Men.
" [ Horns honking .]
[ Clears throat .]
[ Paper rustling .]
FOREMAN: Guilty.
Guilty.
Guilty.
Guilty.
Guilty.
Guilty.
Guilty.
Guilty.
Guilty.
Not guilty.
JUROR #10: How do you like that? FOREMAN: Guilty.
Who was that? I think we got a right to know! I know who it was.
It's all this slick preacher.
Tears your heart out with stories about a poor little slum kid who just couldn't help becoming a murderer.
And you change your vote.
If that isn't the most the most ridiculous Now hold it.
Hold it.
Hold it.
Hold it.
Hold it.
Please, please, I would like to say something here.
I have always thought that a man was entitled to have unpopular opinions in this country.
This is the reason I came here.
In my own country, I am ashamed to say Look, what are we supposed to do now, listen to the whole history of your country? JUROR #7: Yeah, look, let's stick to the subject.
I want to ask you.
What made you change your vote? JUROR #9: He didn't change his vote.
I did.
Maybe you'd like to know why, hmm? JUROR #3: No, we wouldn't want to know why.
FOREMAN: The man wants to talk.
Thank you.
This gentleman chose not to stand alone against us.
Well, that's his right.
He left the responsibility entirely up to us.
He gambled for support, and I gave it to him.
All right, now the speech is over.
Let's go on.
Look, buddy, I got a little excited.
You know how it is.
I didn't mean to get nasty or personal.
Sure.
Hey.
Hey, you.
Iâd like to ask you something.
If the kid didn't kill him, who did? Well, we're not concerned with anyone else here.
Our job is just to figure out whether the boy who's on trial here is guilty.
Guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Now, that's a very important thing to remember.
Everybody's a lawyer! You said a mouthful.
Look, the old man heard the kid yell, "Iâm gonna kill you.
" A second later, he heard the father's body falling.
He saw the kid running out of the house 15 seconds after that.
That's right.
And let's not forget the woman across the street.
She saw the killing.
Now, if that doesn't convince you Iâm sorry.
It's not enough for me.
The woman saw the killing through the moving cars of an elevated train.
The train had five cars, and she saw it through the last two cars.
She remembers the most insignificant details.
What are you gonna say about that? I don't know.
It just doesn't sound right to me.
Well suppose you think about it.
Here, lend me your pencil.
There.
It's your turn.
Might as well pass the time.
-Now, wait a minute.
-This isn't a game! Who do you think you are? Iâve got a good mind to walk around this table and belt him! Please, please! I don't want anyone hurt! [ Indistinct arguing .]
Now, listen.
Take it easy! -It don't mean anything! -How about sitting down? Get back to your seat.
Who does he think he is? Sit down.
Wait a minute.
Now, just Now, look at this sketch.
Now, there's an elevated train with five cars.
Now, that elevated train was going past the old man's window at the exact second of the killing, according to the woman across the street.
Do you know what kind of a noise that makes? Now, remember the old man's testimony.
"Iâm gonna kill you," and then one second later one second he heard a body fall.
Now, just think about that for a minute.
Do you think it's possible he could have heard this boy say, "Iâm gonna kill you" with an elevated train roaring past the end of his nose? What do you mean? Sure, he could have heard it.
He could? He said the kid yelled it out.
That's enough for me.
JUROR #9: I don't think he could have heard it.
Maybe he didn't hear it.
I mean, with the el noise and all.
What are you people talking about? You're calling the old man a liar? -Well, it stands to reason -You're crazy.
Why would he lie? What's he got to gain? Attention, maybe.
You keep coming up with these bright sayings.
Why don't you send one in to a newspaper? They pay $2.
Why might he have lied, sir? Go ahead.
You have a right to speak.
Well, it's just that I looked at him for a very, very long time.
He was a very, very old man with a torn jacket.
And he carried two canes.
Now, this is a quiet, frightened, insignificant man who has been nothing all his life and who have never had any recognition.
Nobody knows him after 75 years.
Gentlemen, that is a very, very sad thing.
A man like this needs to be recognized, to be quoted just once.
This is very important.
That's the most fantastic thing I ever heard in my life.
How can you make up things like that? What do you know about it? I speak from experience.
Is there anything else? [ Coughs .]
Anybody want a cough drop? Come on.
Let's get on with it.
Oh, yeah, Iâll take a cough drop.
Now, look, Iâve got something to say.
Now, I think that we've proved that the old man couldn't possibly have heard the boy say, "Iâm gonna kill you.
" But let's suppose that he did hear it, that he really did hear it.
Now, this phrase How many times has each of you used it? "Junior, if you do that again, Iâm gonna kill you.
" We say it every day.
It doesn't actually mean that you're gonna kill somebody.
Now, wait a minute! The phrase was "Iâm going to kill you.
" And the kid shouted it out at the top of his lungs.
Anybody says a thing like that the way he said it, they mean it.
And how they mean it! Do you think he'd shout out so the whole neighborhood would hear it? I don't think he would.
He's too bright for that.
Bright? Why, he's nothing but a common, ignorant slob.
He don't even know how to speak English! He doesn't even know how to speak English.
Iâd like to change my vote to "not guilty.
" -FOREMAN: You sure? -JUROR #5: Yes, Iâm sure.
FOREMAN: The vote is now 9 to 3 in favor of "guilty.
" JUROR #7: Oh, brother! You come in here and pull stories out of the thin air.
I suppose now we're supposed to believe that the old man didn't get up out of bed, didn't run to the door, and didn't see the kid go down the stairs 15 seconds after the killing.
He's only saying he did to be important? Well, wait.
Wait.
Wait a minute.
Wait a minute.
Did the old man say that he ran to the door? Ran, walked.
What's difference does it make? He got there.
[ Fingers snap .]
Where was the old man's bedroom again? Down the hall a ways.
You're supposed to remember everything.
Don't you remember that? No.
Mr.
Foreman, could we see the diagram of that apartment again, please? Why don't we run this whole trial all over again so that you can get everything straight? -Mr.
Foreman, could we please -l heard you.
[ Clears throat .]
All right, what is all this? How come you're the only one in the room that has to see exhibits all the time? If we have to wade through all that nonsense about where the body was found We don't.
We're just gonna try to find out how an old man who's had two strokes in three years and walks with a couple of canes can get up and get out of bed and get through the front door in 15 seconds.
-He said 20 seconds.
-No, he said 15.
How long does he know How does he know about 15 seconds? How can you judge a thing like that? He said 15.
He was very positive about it.
He's an old man.
You saw him.
Half the time he was confused.
How can he be positive about anything? That's right.
May I, please? Thank you.
Now, uh Look, uh, will you do me a favor? Wake me up when this is all over.
All right, now, here is the apartment where the killing took place.
As you remember, the old man's apartment is beneath and exactly the same.
Now, here's the elevated train, a bedroom, a bedroom, living room, bathroom, kitchen.
And here's that hallway and front door.
Now, the old man says that he was in bed in this room, right? He got up, went through the hallway, out to the front door, and opened it just in time to see the boy come rushing down the stairs, hmm? Now, his bed is at this window.
And it is, uh 12 feet from his bed to the bedroom door.
And the length of the hall is [ Muttering .]
uh, 43 feet, 6 inches.
Now, he would have had to get out of bed, uh, get his canes right? walk 12 feet, open the bedroom door, walk 43 feet, open the front door, and all in 15 seconds.
Now, do you think that's possible? You know it's possible.
He can only walk very slowly.
They had to help him into the witness chair.
You make it sound like a long walk.
It's not.
Here, just, uh Iâm gonna try something here.
Iâm just gonna find out how long it took him.
Let's see.
Iâm gonna pace off the length of his bedroom.
That's 12 feet, yeah.
You're crazy.
You can't reconstruct a thing like that.
Perhaps if we could see it.
This is an important point.
It's a ridiculous waste of time.
Well, let him do it! Hand me this chair right here, would you, please? Now, let's assume that this chair here is the bedroom door of the old man's room.
From this chair to the door of this room here and back is40 feet.
Well, anyway, it's shorter than the length of the hallway.
-Wouldn't you say that? -A few feet, maybe.
Oh, this is absolutely insane! What makes you think you can prove that? Well, let me try it.
According to the testimony, it'll only take 15 seconds.
Surely we can spare that.
Now, you got a watch with a second hand? -l have.
-Oh, good.
Now, when you want me to start, stamp your foot.
That'll be the body falling.
And just time me from there.
Oh, yeah, and let's say that he keeps his canes right close by the bedside.
All right.
Okay, Iâm ready.
Any Just a second.
Go! Oh, come on.
Speed it up.
Speed it up.
The old man walked twice as fast as that! I think this is even faster than the old man walked.
Okay, okay, if you want me to walk faster, I will.
Stop.
What's the time? Just a second.
So, the 20 exactly 28 seconds.
28 seconds? It's my guess that the old man was trying to get to the front door.
He heard someone rushing down the stairs, and he assumed that it was the boy assumed it.
Sure, sure, I think that's possible.
Assumed? Now, listen to me, you people.
Iâve seen lots of dishonesty in my day, but this little display takes the cake.
Tell him, will you? What's the matter with you people? The kid's guilty! He's got to burn! We're letting him slip through our fingers here.
Slip through our fingers? Who are you, his executioner? Iâm one of them.
Maybe you'd like to pull the switch.
For this kid? You bet Iâd like to pull the switch! -Well, Iâm sorry for you.
-Don't start with me.
How it must feel to want to pull a switch.
Shut up.
You want this boy to die because you personally want it, not because of the facts.
-Shut up.
-You're a sadist.
-Shut up! -Wait! Wait! Hold it! Let me go! Iâm gonna kill him! Iâll kill him! You don't actually mean that you'll kill me, do you? ANNOUNCER: We return now to "Westinghouse Studio One" and "Twelve Angry Men.
" [ Horns honking .]
Anything wrong, gentlemen? I heard some noise.
No, there's nothing wrong.
Well, what are you looking at? I don't see why we have to behave like children.
Nor do I.
We have a responsibility.
This is the remarkable thing about democracy, that we are What's the word? Notified that we are notified by mail to come down to this place and decide about the guilt or innocence of a man we have not known before.
We have nothing to gain or lose by our verdict.
This is one of the reasons why we are strong.
We should not make it a personal thing.
Well, we're still nowhere.
Anyone have an idea? Well, uh, how about trying another vote? Mr.
Foreman? It's all right with me.
Anybody who doesn't want to vote? All right.
Supposing I call off your jury numbers? I vote guilty.
Number 2? Not guilty.
Number 3? Guilty! Number 4? Guilty.
Number 5? Not guilty.
Number 6? Not guilty.
-Number 7? -Guilty! -Number 8? -Uh, not guilty.
-Number 9? -Not guilty.
Number 10? Guilty.
Number 11? Not guilty.
Number 12? Guilty.
The vote is 6 to 6.
I tell you the crime is being committed right in this room! Iâm ready to walk into court right now and declare a hung jury! I go for that, too.
Let the kid take his chance with 12 other guys.
Do you mean you still don't think there's room for a reasonable doubt? No, I don't.
I beg your pardon.
Maybe you do not understand the term "reasonable doubt.
" What do you mean I don't understand it? Who do you think you're talking to me? The nerve of this guy! He comes running over here for his life, and before he gets a deep breath, he starts telling us how to run the show.
The arrogance of him! Now, now, wait a minute.
Now, nobody's asking where you came from.
I was born right here! Or where your father came from.
Maybe it wouldn't hurt us to take a few tips from people who come running here.
Maybe they learn something we don't know.
We're none of us that perfect.
FOREMAN: Look, let's stop the arguing.
Now, who's got something constructive to say? Well, there's one thing that's been bothering me a little, and that's the whole business about this stab wound, the way it was made, the downward angle of it.
Oh, don't tell me we're going to start that again.
They went over it and over it in court.
I know they did, but I don't happen to go along with it.
Now, this boy is 5'8" inches tall.
His father was 6'2".
Now, that's a difference of 6 inches.
It seems to me a very awkward thing to stab down into the chest of a man who's half a foot taller than you are.
Look, you're not going to be satisfied till you see it again.
Iâll give you a demonstration.
Somebody stand up.
Okay.
Now watch this.
I don't want to have to do it again.
Is that 6 inches? That's more than 6 inches.
All right, let it be more.
-[ Indistinct shouting .]
-Easy! -Hey, that's not funny! -What's the matter with you? Now, just calm down, will you? Nobody's hurt, are they? No, no, nobody's hurt.
All right, there's your angle.
Take a look at it.
Down and in.
That's how it was done.
Down and in.
I guess there's no argument, huh? Uh, look, I want you to watch something here for just a moment, please.
Now Now, doesn't that seem like an awkward way to handle a knife? -That's what Iâve been saying.
-Wait.
Wait.
Now, watch this.
Carefully.
Wait a minute.
Give me the knife.
Did you ever see a knife fight? Yes, I have, in my own neighborhood, too many of them.
It's funny I didn't think about it before.
I guess you try to forget things like that.
Anybody who's ever handled a switchblade before would never have stabbed downward.
You don't use a switchblade that way.
You use it underhand.
Well, then, he couldn't have made the kind of wound that killed his father.
Not if he'd ever had any experience with switchblades, no.
-I don't believe it.
-I don't, either.
You're giving us a lot of mumbo jumbo.
What do you think? UhI don't know.
What about you? Look, I want to tell you something.
Iâm getting a little sick of this whole thing already.
Let's break it up and go home.
Iâm changing my vote to "not guilty.
" -You're what? -You heard me.
What kind of a man are you, playing like this with a human being's life, simply because there are some theater tickets burning a hole in your pocket? This is an ugly and terrible thing to do.
Look, you can't talk like that to me.
I can talk like that to you.
If you want to vote "not guilty," then do so because you are convinced that the man is not guilty, not because you are in a hurry.
Look, I don't have to tell you why Iâm Don't you have the guts? Say it.
Why do you vote "not guilty"? Because.
I don't think he's guilty.
I want another vote now.
All right, there's another vote called for.
I guess the quickest way would be by a show of hands.
Everyone agree? All right, all those voting "not guilty," raise your hands.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Those voting "guilty," raise your hands.
The vote is 9 to 3, in favor of acquittal.
I can't understand you people.
How can you believe that this kid is innocent? You know how these people lie.
I don't have to tell you that.
They don't know what the truth is.
They They Look, and I want to tell you another thing.
They don't need any big reason to kill somebody, either.
They drink, and they get into a fight and bang! Somebody's lying in the gutter.
Nobody can blame them because that's the way they are.
Don't you see what I mean? They're violent.
Human life doesn't mean as much to them as it does to us.
Where are you going? Look, these people are drinking and fighting all the time.
And if somebody gets killed, somebody gets killed.
They don't care.
Most of them Well, it seems they they haven't got any feelings.
They, uh They'll do anything.
Say, what's going on here? Listen to me.
There isn't one of them that's got any good in him, not one of them.
You listen to what I tell you.
That kid that's on trial there.
Don't you know about them? What are you doing? Look, Iâm trying to tell you something here, and you won't even listen to me.
I I Iâve had enough.
You open your mouth again, and Iâll split your skull.
All right, everybody, sit down.
I still think the boy is guilty, and Iâll tell you why.
The most damning piece of evidence came from that woman who said that she actually saw the murder committed.
That's right.
As far as Iâm concerned, that's the most important testimony.
JUROR #4: She went to bed at about 11:00 that night.
Her bed was right at the open window.
She could look across the street and into the other window.
She tossed and turned for about an hour, unable to sleep.
Finally, at about 12:10, she turned toward the window, looked across the street, and saw the boy stab his father.
Now, to me, that's unshakable testimony.
That's what I mean.
That's the whole case! Frankly, I don't see how you can vote for acquittal.
What do you think? Well, maybe There's so much evidence to sift.
But you can throw out all the other evidence.
That was my feeling.
Does anybody know the correct time? My watch seems to have stopped.
1 minute of 6:00.
It's that late? You don't suppose they could let us go home and finish this tomorrow, do you? I got a kid at home with the mumps.
Not a chance.
Pardon me.
Can't you see that clock without your glasses? Well, not too clearly.
Why? Well, what do you do when you wake up at night and you want to know what time it is? What are you talking about? I put on my glasses and look at the clock.
And you don't wear your glasses to bed? Are you crazy? Nobody wears glasses to bed.
What's all this for? Well, I was just thinking.
The woman who testified that she saw this killing wears glasses.
Well, she wouldn't wear the glasses to bed, would she? Now, wait a minute.
Wait a minute.
Did she wear glasses at all? I don't seem to remember.
Of course she did.
The woman wore bifocals.
I remember this very clearly.
They looked quite strong.
She did wear glasses.
Funny.
I forgot.
She wasn't wearing her glasses in bed.
That's for sure.
You're right.
She testified that, in her tossing and turning, she rolled over and looked casually out the window, and the crime was taking place as she looked out.
And a split second later, the lights went out.
She couldn't have had time to put on her glasses.
Look, I think that this women honestly thought that she saw this boy kill his father, but Iâll tell you what she really saw.
A blur, just a blur.
How do you know what she saw? How does he know all these things? Well, does anybody still say that there's not at least a reasonable doubt? No.
Well, I think he's guilty! Anybody else? No, Iâm convinced.
You're alone.
I don't care whether Iâm alone or not.
I have a right.
Yes, you do.
You have a right.
Well, I told you.
I think he's guilty.
Now, what else do you want? Your arguments.
I gave you my arguments.
But we're not convinced.
We want to hear them again.
We have the time.
Listen, what's the matter with you? You're the guy.
You've made all the arguments.
You can't turn now.
Stick with me.
Iâm sorry.
There's a reasonable doubt in my mind.
We're waiting.
Well, you're not going to intimidate me! I got a right to my opinion! It'll be a hung jury! That's it! Well, there's nothing we can do about that, except hope that some night, a few months from now, you'll get some sleep.
Now you're all alone.
It takes a great deal of courage to stand alone.
All right! They're waiting.
JUDGE: Murder in the first degree, premeditated homicide, is the most serious charge tried in our criminal courts.
You've heard a long and complex case, gentlemen, and it is now your duty to sit down to try and separate the facts from the fantasy.
One man is dead.
The life of another is in your hands.
If there is a reasonable doubt in your minds as to the guilt of the accused, then you must declare him not guilty.
If, however, there is no reasonable doubt then he must be found guilty.
Whichever way you decide