One evening, at home, the president of a French court, known for his severity, receives a request he has no intention of granting: a visit from the mother of a young man accused of rape and murder. The trial taking place in the courtroom forces him to decide the defendant's guilt, and the personal pressure on the magistrate soon extends into his private life and that of his family. A courtroom drama about conscience, justice and the limits of impartiality.

How it was made

Directed by André Cayatte, it is a French-Italian co-production produced by Carlo Ponti. Cayatte co-wrote the screenplay with Luciano Vincenzoni and Pierre Dumayet. Jean Gabin and Sophia Loren star, with Julien Bertheau as the Advocate General. Jean Badal handled cinematography, Paul Cayatte edited the film and Louis Guglielmi composed the music. It was shot in French, and much of the action unfolds in the courtroom and in the judge's home.

Reception and legacy

It was released in 1974 and also circulated under the title Jury of One. The sources consulted offer no reliable information about its critical reception or any awards, so any assessment of its impact should be treated with caution. Its main interest lies in combining a legal thriller with portraits of two major figures of European cinema.

Stills

Trivia

Alternative title

The film also circulated under the title Jury of One, by which it was known in some markets.

More films by André Cayatte

Justice Is Done1950Justice Is Done1950 Tomorrow Is My Turn1960Tomorrow Is My Turn1960

We Are All Murderers1952 Before the Deluge1954Before the Deluge1954

Le Miroir à deux faces1958 There's No Smoke Without Fire1973There's No Smoke Without Fire1973

Original Cinematopedia text based on Wikipedia (en) and Wikidata.