Anatomy of a Murder

— I have no idea how long it’s been since I first saw this film, but it was wonderful to see it again. I’d forgotten how exacting Otto Preminger’s hand was, as well as the skill and breath of his cast. Mostly, I was struck by the moral ambiguity of every character, something decidedly outside the norm for a 1959 film. I watched the film as part of an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute course and was interested to learn it was “one of the first [films] to deal frankly and openly with serious adult topics related to sexual assault, promiscuity, alcoholism, the stigma of divorce, mental disease and the criminal justice process. The clinical testimony during the trial from experts uses words and phrases that were never heard in American cinema prior to this movie.” Duke Ellington’s soundtrack was also forward-thinking, opening a door for Jazz musicians in the film industry, and Saul Bass’ graphic design helped shift how titles were presented in films. It’s hard to believe the film was made 60 years ago—it’s certainly better than many of today’s films.

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[1959. 160 min. Directed by Otto Preminger. Starring James Stewart, Lee Remick, Ben Gazzara, Arthur O’Connell, Eve Arden, Kathryn Grant, George C. Scott, and Orson Bean.]
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/11/movies/homevideo/premingers-anatomy-of-a-murder-on-dvd.html