The introduction discusses in detail the play's origins as a 1954 American television play, Rose's transformation of the piece for the stage, and Lumet's 1957 film version, identifying textual variations between these versions and discussing later significant productions. Ideal for the student reader, the accompanying pedagogical notes include elements such as an author chronology, plot summary, suggested further reading, explanatory endnotes and questions for further study. The conflict that follows is fierce and passionate, cutting straight to the heart of the issues of civil liberties and social justice.

A guilty verdict seems a foregone conclusion, but one member of the jury has the will to probe more deeply into the evidence and the courage to confront the ignorance and prejudice of some of his fellow jurors. In New York 1954, a man is dead and the life of another is at stake. How a film should be made.The Methuen Drama Student Edition of Twelve Angry Men is the first critical edition of Reginald Rose's play, providing the play text alongside commentary and notes geared towards student readers. I started watching this film on a bored relaxed laying about day but by the end i was on the edge of the seat with my hands on my knees feeling more tense than a politician on results day. This is brought to life even more by the amazing performances, Fonda, Lee J Cobb and Joseph Sweeney are of particular note. On top of this they are wonderfully woven in human elements such as the misconceptions that influence people and the growing tension between different characters. Yet they also feel the shame of the characters as he disproves that a previously sound theory is iron tight, joining his side as members of the jury do. The audience can also see the arguments for guilty and wonder if Fonda's character is correct in saying that he doubts. But we also share his victories and the enthusiasm as he proceeds to refute or add doubt to the arguments for guilty and are captivated and draw in as other jurors begin to see doubt in the proceedings. We feel the discomfort of Henry Fonda as the other characters belittle and mock how he can see any reasonable doubt in the case. We imagine that the case is open and shut, 11 me saying guilty and 1 not. The tension of the characters draws the audience in from the start. The characters are well draw out and individual, each with his own personality. Each of the twelve jurors are introduced to us as they are introduced to themselves. The film captivates the audience from the beginning. This film is superb, in fact as Shakespeare once said 'Its the bees' knees'.

Twelve angry men by reginald rose