12 Angry Men

It’s not often that I watch a movie and want to write about it, but 12 Angry Men was just too good not to think about. I love the long scene after the very bored judge gives his final instructions. You just don’t see movies anymore where the actors are required to concentrate on acting for a very long time; it was very immersing and play-like. Beyond simply entertaining (oh it was at that), the movie suggested a number of very interesting questions that I think are relevant for today.

First, is the issue of objectivity. All of the characters who immediately voted “guilty” had some kind of hidden agenda (except for Klugman’s character; we’re not sure why he voted guilty). We always bring something to any evaluation and our past always deeply influences our future. The genius of this movie was that it showed how each juror struggled with his past.

Secondly, the movie highlights a particular epistemological problem concerning doubt. While epistemology is not my favorite subject, the movie has brought some of those issues to mind. In this case, the jury was asked to determine if there was a reasonable doubt of the boy's guilt, and, if so, vote not guilty. In other words, determine the probability of guilt. A reasonable doubt was all that it took to acquit. In our every day lives, often use that standard to make judgements. Being in a state of doubt is not necessarily a bad thing.

The final important issue the film addresses is the issue of intellectual courage in the face of the crowd, or as the old man puts it "standing alone against the ridicule of others." This is not licence to rebel for rebel ion's sake. Rather, it is a call to stand up for what you believe in. I liked the way the Henry Fonda's character didn't question the others' motives, rather he questioned the facts, the interpretation of those facts, and his own ability to complete apprehend the truth of the matter. He maintained an open mind, not dismiss every possible option, but, rather, to find the truth.

Great movie. I'll have to put this on my "re-watch" list!