Top 10 Movie Courtroom Scenes

With the confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court (yay!) I've been thinking about courts and my relationship to them. As it stands, my relationship has mostly been formed by how I've seen them (and the issues in them) reprsented on the big screen.

Below are 10 films that are not only cinematically powerful but also get at the problems with our courts, how they can be improved problems with them and/or the people fighting for their rights in them.  Let me know if I missed your favorite courtroom movie and enjoy!

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10) A Few Good Men: Maybe the most quoted courtroom scene ever. Also, a reminder that we always need folks out there that will challenge those in power.  Especially when it comes to the activity of the military. I swear I can almost hear Rumsfeld/Cheney screaming "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH"

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9) My Cousin Vinny:  This is probably the scene that won Marisa Tomei her Oscar.  The reason this scene stands out is that it features a woman defying stereotypes and proving the defendants to be innocent.

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8 ) Written on the Wind: One of my most favorite films ever, this scene represents the power of the rich over the poor.  Rock Hudson's unwealthy Mitch Wayne is on trial and Dorothy Malone's wealthy Marylee holds his fate in her hands.

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7) Dancer in the Dark: I love this movie even though it makes me cry (and even though I'm being manipulated to do so).  The courtroom scene is representative of how our legal system works against those not familiar with it, like immigrants.  Also, the musical portion of it is simply great!

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6) Knock on Any Door:The clip below is in Spanish (only one I could find) but the speech is absolutely amazing. As is Nick Ray's entire movie about a lawyer's attempt throughout the years to help a street kid really gets down to the brass tacks of why we have repeat offenders.

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5) Inherit the Wind: Not only does it make a strong statement about education but this film makes the point that we must fight for our rights!

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4) Chicago 10: The fact that the courtroom scenes in Chicago come from actual transcripts makes them all the more amazing.  A true testament to standing up for what you believe in!

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3) Kramer vs. Kramer: A wonderfully moving moment from Dustin Hoffman that showcases the "drama" of courtrooms. It also looks at people fighting against the odds in the courtroom (Dad fighting for kid) and how people can overcome a verdict.

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2) Monsieur Verdoux: Am amazing speech in an amazing film.  If Chaplin was in more courtroom scenes this list would have been filled with them.

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1) To Kill a Mockingbird: Perhaps the most famous courtroom movie.  It inspires me to this day to fight for what I believe in and what is right.  Below is the speech (I couldn't find a video clip).

*photo from KeithBurtis (CC)