Film directed by Otto Preminger that dissects the commission of a murder from a legal and human point of view. What can go through a man's mind to lead him to commit murder? In this case, it is debated whether his instinct for action or reaction to certain events, or rather his defense mechanism, is what the defense attorney Paul Biegle, played brilliantly by James Stewart, will try to find out; it will not be easy for him because not even the murderer knows why he reacted by shooting the victim, at first glance it might seem because, given the facts, the rape of his wife by the victim, he suffered a transitory mental disorder, a resource widely used by criminal lawyers, which led him to murder him for revenge.
In this case, a shadow of doubt appears that the film does not seem to clarify, which is what really happens in the sentimental life of this couple, the husband distrusts his wife, who does not seem to care what happens to her in court either, she It is about a relationship based basically on mutual contempt, which the defense lawyer will try to hide from the eyes of the court, a cold and distant relationship but which the lawyer tries to avoid, managing to prove the facts and trying to show that what really It happened to the perpetrator of the crime, a lieutenant from the local military base, it was a reaction of his defense mechanism trained as a military man, the victim owner of a bar, when one of his employees warned that the lieutenant was coming to try to get a weapon that he hid behind the counter and the lieutenant, faced with this attempt, defended himself and fired.
This case will return, once again to Paul Bieger the lawyer, the passion for his work and he will show off his simplicity, intelligence and brilliance during the trial, it will be the spark that will light the flame of his enthusiasm for his profession, which he had already lost, dedicating himself to fishing and jazz music, he will recover that fervor and liveliness that one has when one loves what he does. I am left with one of the phrases of the protagonist, the defense attorney, showing off its simplicity but perhaps one of the best lessons that can be learned in life:
“…one of the things I have learned in this profession is that there are not only good or only bad people. People are many things
Another leading character in the film is the soundtrack composed by Duke Ellington, one of the most important jazz musicians of the time, who composed a highly original musical band that was perfectly integrated into the scenes of the film. Ellington even appears in one scene as a pianist, playing with James Stewart, along with some of his musicians. The music imbues the film with a vibrant, suggestive and provocative atmosphere.
