In honor of the 81^st anniversary of the Oscars® TakePart is launching a series called 81 Films That Pushed the Envelope. For the 81 days leading to the Academy Awards®, we will be highlighting one film that shed light on an issue, started a dialogue and inspired social change. The films range from independent features to documentaries, to Oscar® winners to those who should have been nominated.  While the 81 films aren’t named in any particular order, the #1 entry, which we will reveal on the day of the Academy Awards®- will be determined by you. (you don’t need to be a member of the Academy® to vote here )

So look out for posts with this banner and follow our 81 for 81.  And if you have ideas for films that should be on this list, add them to the comment action in any one of our posts!

12 Angry Men

The trailer may make it seem like just another thriller, but Sidney Lumet’s 1957 deceptively simple masterpiece is so much more.  The film, which is based on a story by Reginald Rose, centers on a jury’s deliberations in the murder trial of a young Latino man. It also takes place mostly in one room, with the same 12 men and only their discussion and ultimate decision to entertain us.  Lucky for us it’s a discussion worth listening to as it gets to the core of human prejudice and how it plays a role in our legal system.  It also speaks to the power of standing up for what you believe in and the importance of listening.  And messages aside, the film is tautly directed and features superb performances from Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Jack Klugman, Martin Balsam, Ed Begley, Jack Warden and Joseph Sweeney (and the rest of the jury).

And in the words of Roger Ebert, “In form, 12 Angry Men is a courtroom drama. In purpose, it’s a crash course in those passages of the Constitution that promise defendants a fair trial and the presumption of innocence.”

Watch this film to see how it pushed the envelope and then takepart with the ACLU, where they are always working to insure that everyone gets fair treatment in our legal system.

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