Witness for the Prosecution (1957) KL Studio Classics Blu-ray Review

Charles Laughton was an Acadamy Award winning actor. I will never forget the first time I saw him on film it has as Quasimodo in 1939's The Hunchback of Notre Dame. I would go on to watch his performances in Mutiny on the Bounty, Ruggles of Red Gap, Jamaica Inn, The Big Clock, Spartacus and even Abbott and Costello meet Captain Kidd.

In 1957 Charles Laughton would star in the Billy Wilder film Witness for the Prosecution. Now 67 years after its theatrical release Kino Lorber Studio Classics are giving this courtroom drama a chance to live on Blu-ray in physical media fans collections forever!

Sir Wilfred Robards (Charles Laughton) is a London lawyer who has just recovered from a heart attack and is ordered by his doctor to give up brandy, cigars and especially courtroom cases. He instead defies his orders and defends a drifter accused of murdering a wealthy widow.

Billy Wilder is known for directing some of the most amazing film in cinema history. Double Indemnity, The Apartment, The Lost Weekend, Sunset Boulevard, and Some like it hot, just to name a few. Here Billy Wilder adapts the Agatha Christies story for the big screen, and it is memorizing! Even Agatha Christie "herself considered it the finest film derived from one of her stories." Along with an amazing performance by Charles Laughton Witness for the Prosecution boasts the talents of Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich and Elsa Lanchester.

Kino Lorber transferred this classic film to Blu-ray in 1080p and it is presented in 1.66:1 aspect ratio. The Audio is a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. There is also the option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard or hearing.

This film transfer is something special. The black and white picture is crisp and clean. I witnessed no damage to this film print whatsoever. The audio is clear as a bell with no hiss or pops. To say I am impressed with this transfer doesn't do it justice. In addition to a beautiful looking copy of this courtroom classic, Kino Lorber added some cool bonus features.

• NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian Joseph McBride, Author of Billy Wilder: Dancing on the Edge
• Billy Wilder and Volker Schlondorff discuss WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION 
• Theatrical Trailer 

With the addition of the insightful commentary and the discussion feature. In my opinion there are bonuses that must be witnessed! I am so glad Kino Lorber added these features to this release. Such good bonus material there!

When you think of courtroom dramas several films come to mind. To Kill a Mockingbird, 12 Angry Men, Inherit the Wind and Anatomy of a Murder just to name a few. But arguably the best is Witness for the Prosecution, and I am glad to see Kino Lorber gave this classic film a Blu-ray release it so richly deserves.

If you love courtroom dramas Witness for the Prosecution is a must add to your collection. And the best way to see it (in my opinion) is on this new Blu-ray release. Head over to Amazon and order your copy today!

 Out of 4 Film Reels (4 Being the Best) KL Studio Classics Blu-ray of Witness for the Prosecution receives....