30. 12 Angry Men

#NotAllAngryMen

This fits in the same box as Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. A single incorruptible man stands up for what’s morally right and is able to gradually turn the opinion of the other jurors and prevent a miscarriage of justice through a filibuster.

It’s the kind of story where the end upholds the idea that the system works, while also showing us how perilously close it came to condemning an innocent young man. At the same time, it’s a story about the importance of strength in the face of mob mentality, and how refusing to forget your convictions to smooth things over by going along with the group.

It’s a real powder keg of a film, too. Not a wasted moment, and a contained thriller that makes the most of every inch of that jury room.

Also, some context. This film was released in 1957, based on a teleplay written in 1954. Via the Associated Press, “The Civil Rights Act of 1957 gave women the right to serve on federal juries, but it wasn’t until 1973 that all 50 states passed similar legislation.” Court cases arguing the legality of impaneling an all-white jury have been tried as recently as 2016. When we consider writing off the makeup of the jury depicted here as “of its time,” it’s worth considering what that means, and if that time has truly ended.