Witness for the Prosecution (Hallmark Hall of Fame)
Witness for the Prosecution is a 1982 American made-for-television drama film version of Agatha Christie's 1925 short story and 1953 play, and also a remake of the Billy Wilder film Witness for the Prosecution (1957).[1][2]
"Witness for the Prosecution"
Season 32
Episode 1
Agatha Christie (play)
Billy Wilder
(1957 screenplay)
Harry Kurnitz
(1957 screenplay)
Larry Marcus (adaptation)
John Gay
(written for television by)
The Witness for the Prosecution
1926 story / 1953 play
by Agatha Christie and Witness for the Prosecution
1957 film
John Cameron
(theme music)
142
December 4, 1982
101 minutes
Plot summary[edit]
Sir Wilfred Robarts, a famed barrister, has just been released from the hospital in which he stayed for two months following a heart attack. Returning to his practise of law, he takes the case of Leonard Vole, an unemployed man who is accused of murdering the elderly Emily French, who had bequeathed her estate to him. Vole claims he's innocent, although all evidence points to him as the killer, but his alibi witness, his cold German wife Christine, instead of entering the court as a witness for the defense, becomes the witness for the prosecution and defiantly testifies that her husband is guilty of the murder. Sir Wilfred represents Vole but retains his suspicions regarding the accused man's icy wife.
Reception[edit]
Critical[edit]
The New York Times called it "a great deal of fun", praising the "remarkable durability" of Christie's original material, and the performances of Richardson and Rigg.[1]
Awards[edit]
Arthur Ibbetson was nominated for an Emmy Award for outstanding cinematography for his work on the production.[8]