Cast and Crew: Sidney Lumet (Director); Martin Balsam, John Fiedler, Lee J. Cobb, E.G. Marshall, Jack Klugman, Jack Warden, Ed Begley

What It’s About: 12 jurors meet to decide a murder case. The 18-year-old they’re trying will go to the chair if they find him guilty. One juror (Henry Fonda) believes there is reasonable doubt.  Can he convince the 11 others?

Why Watch it Today?: 12 Angry Men began life as an acclaimed episode of the television drama anthology Studio One, an episode which aired today in 1954.  12 Angry Men is still a thought-provoking drama, helped by its claustrophobic location of a locked jury room and an excellent cast.  The issues it explores are, if anything, even more relevant in today’s atmosphere of trials conducted as much in the media as in the courts.

Where to Get It: Netflix (Rental), iTunes and Vudu, Libraries