...And Justice for All

1979 "Once in a while someone fights back."
7.4| 1h59m| R| en| More Info
Released: 19 October 1979 Released
Producted By: Columbia Pictures
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Info

An ethical Baltimore defense lawyer disgusted with rampant legal corruption is forced to defend a judge he despises in a rape trial under the threat of being disbarred.

Genre

Drama

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Director

Norman Jewison

Production Companies

Columbia Pictures

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...And Justice for All Audience Reviews

Stometer Save your money for something good and enjoyable
Mjeteconer Just perfect...
Chirphymium It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional
Adeel Hail Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.
Desertman84 "...And Justice for All" is an Oscar nominated court room drama that stars Al Pacino as charismatic and personable lawyer Arthur Kirkland,who has apparently gotten sick of the American judicial system.Joining him in are Jack Warden, John Forsythe, and Lee Strasberg. This film directed by Norman Jewison has earned a Oscar nominations for both Pacino and the screenplay written by Barry Levison and Valerie Curtin.Added to that,it also well-known for its final speech scene by Kirkland which has served as inspiration to many films after it was shown back in 1979.Arthur Kirkland is a lawyer who remains someone who is fighting for truth,justice and idealism which many lawyers tend to forget once they attain fame and fortune.This is presented in the story through many cases and problems that his clients face including defending a judge who is guilty and cannot refuse to become his client as he is threatened to get disbarred from his profession as a lawyer.It was obvious that Al Pacino's presence and great performance made this film a classic.He portrayed Kirkland extremely well that is definitely unforgettable.His final speech wherein the people in the court scream,"You are out of order" His presence and personality as the lawyer Arthur Kirkland,helps carry this drama-comedy through to an effective if melodramatic monologue at the end, functioning as the summation of a court case.Despite the many plots involved in it,the viewer won't get confused as Pacino's performance becomes central to the movie rather than the many events that are involved in it.
ramsfan "And Justice For All" is an entertaining yet meaningful movie in that it exposes the many flaws in our system of jurisprudence. It does so by taking a satirical look at the system through a variety of characters in the film. When Judge Henry T. Fleming is accused of rape, he hires defense attorney Arthur Kirkland (Al Pacino) to represent him. Kirkland is a fiery, idealistic lawyer who cares for people- and who detests Fleming, a man with whom he's battled in the courtroom and regards as both uncaring and arrogant. Furthermore, Fleming is holding up the release of a Kirkland client falsely accused of murder. This is of no consequence to Fleming, who instead sees an opportunity to make his innocence more apparent by having an adversary defend him. Kirkland wants no part of this charade, until Fleming threatens to blackmail him with long buried information on a breach of attorney-client privilege. Reluctantly, Kirkland takes the case.Several events rattle Kirkland as he prepares his defense; a near-fatal helicopter ride with a presumably suicidal judge (Jack Warden) and the public nervous breakdown of his law partner (Jeffrey Tambor). Things turn tragic when two of Kirkland's clients die in separate incidents. A harmless, transgender man hangs himself when he is mistakenly sent back to jail in Kirkland's absence, and McCullough- the man Fleming prevented from being released- is shot in a hostage situation, as Kirkland attempts to diffuse it. Enraged and disillusioned at such an unthinkable turn of events, Kirkland sits on a bench outside the courtroom and ponders his role in a system he perceives as terribly indifferent and cruel.Shortly thereafter, Kirkland receives photos from another client that show Judge Fleming engaged in S&M acts with a prostitute. When shown the pictures, Fleming smirks and admits his guilt in the rape for which he is accused. A disgusted Kirkland leaves the room as a haughty Fleming reminds him that "he'll see him in court". The trial begins, and after the prosecution's opening statement, it is Kirkland's turn. After what appears to be a legitimate attempt to discredit the prosecution for their "lack of a case", he stuns everyone by declaring Fleming's guilt and proclaims "he should go right to f*ckin' jail". As the judge objects and the crowd erupts into chaos amidst this blatant breach of etiquette, Kirkland is dragged from the courtroom. He screams at Fleming- who looks on with a mixture of both disbelief and disgust- for disgracing the law and the people he represents.Pacino is outstanding. His courtroom scene is one of those moments in film that is stamped indelibly on one's memory. He perfectly conveys the disenchantment of a man hopelessly swimming against the tide despite his best efforts. In the end he all but sacrifices a career to ensure that a thoroughly detestable man, a person who is "supposed to protect people" is ruined professionally. Fine character work is turned in by both John Forsythe as Fleming and Jack Warden as an eccentric judge who keeps a rifle in his chambers and eats his lunch on the ledge of a 4th floor balcony.A highly recommended movie and a must for Pacino fans.
gavin6942 An ethical Baltimore defense lawyer (Al Pacino) disgusted with rampant legal corruption is asked to defend a judge he despises (John Forsythe) in a rape trial. But if he does not do it, the judge will have him disbarred.Roger Ebert says of this film that "it's not a statement, it's an anthology." And that is absolutely right. The plot above, and a similar plot on the back of the movie's case, only cover about one quarter of what goes on in this film. We have a crazy attorney, a prison riot, a suicidal judge (played expertly by Jack Warden)... the rape trial actually turns out to be such a small part.But that is a good thing, because we get to see Al Pacino being a little bit excited in a variety of different circumstances. And the tone is incredible -- some parts are deadly serious (rape, murder and suicide have to be to some degree) while much of the movie is a very, very dark comedy. And it is incredible.
spamobile Real old fashioned lawyer drama but with a human aspect in it. It's not all in the courtroom though, most is actually out of it. There are a number of stories running together but that's the life of a lawyer really all about. Al Pacino is his usual best again, the roll is really the type of character he excels in. Most other characters are fine too but it's all about Pacino of course. Very watchable movie, it continuously moves forward and changes. The actual main story is almost a side line in the story but it comes to a end with a big bang. Although the bang is big the outcome is a bit unexpected and in a way I think the movie is not completely finished. Watch it for sure though (and ignore the cheesy 70's music).