Movies
Real trials aren’t like movies — but we can still learn from watching great actors question witnesses and argue to the jury. (Who cares if they violate basic rules of procedure and evidence?) Like acting, trial work is all about physical presence and oral performance. When you’re tired of reading opposition briefs or summarizing depositions, enjoy a trial movie!
Witness For The Prosecution
Billy Wilder (book by Agatha Christie)
Every year in mid-summer, the mall in Washington, DC is transformed into a huge stage for one of the largest festivals of folk life in the world. In 1986, Sam Schrager created a stage for one of America’s greatest unsung folk arts: trial opening statements and closing arguments. Those performances capped a year-long study Schrager conducted of the oral persuasion…
The Verdict
Sidney Lumet (screenplay by David Mamet, based on Barry Reed’s novel)
Every year in mid-summer, the mall in Washington, DC is transformed into a huge stage for one of the largest festivals of folk life in the world. In 1986, Sam Schrager created a stage for one of America’s greatest unsung folk arts: trial opening statements and closing arguments. Those performances capped a year-long study Schrager conducted of the oral persuasion…
To Kill A Mockingbird
Robert Mulligan (based on Harper Lee’s book)
Every year in mid-summer, the mall in Washington, DC is transformed into a huge stage for one of the largest festivals of folk life in the world. In 1986, Sam Schrager created a stage for one of America’s greatest unsung folk arts: trial opening statements and closing arguments. Those performances capped a year-long study Schrager conducted of the oral persuasion…
Spotlight
Tom McCarthy
Every year in mid-summer, the mall in Washington, DC is transformed into a huge stage for one of the largest festivals of folk life in the world. In 1986, Sam Schrager created a stage for one of America’s greatest unsung folk arts: trial opening statements and closing arguments. Those performances capped a year-long study Schrager conducted of the oral persuasion…
The Rainmaker
Francis Ford Coppola (based on John Grisham’s novel)
Every year in mid-summer, the mall in Washington, DC is transformed into a huge stage for one of the largest festivals of folk life in the world. In 1986, Sam Schrager created a stage for one of America’s greatest unsung folk arts: trial opening statements and closing arguments. Those performances capped a year-long study Schrager conducted of the oral persuasion…
Presumed Innocent
Alan J. Pakula (based on a book by Scott Turow)
Every year in mid-summer, the mall in Washington, DC is transformed into a huge stage for one of the largest festivals of folk life in the world. In 1986, Sam Schrager created a stage for one of America’s greatest unsung folk arts: trial opening statements and closing arguments. Those performances capped a year-long study Schrager conducted of the oral persuasion…
My Cousin Vinny
Jonathan Lynn
Every year in mid-summer, the mall in Washington, DC is transformed into a huge stage for one of the largest festivals of folk life in the world. In 1986, Sam Schrager created a stage for one of America’s greatest unsung folk arts: trial opening statements and closing arguments. Those performances capped a year-long study Schrager conducted of the oral persuasion…
The Lincoln Lawyer
Brad Furman (based on a book by Michael Connolly)
Every year in mid-summer, the mall in Washington, DC is transformed into a huge stage for one of the largest festivals of folk life in the world. In 1986, Sam Schrager created a stage for one of America’s greatest unsung folk arts: trial opening statements and closing arguments. Those performances capped a year-long study Schrager conducted of the oral persuasion…
A Few Good Men
Directed by Rob Reiner / Written by Aaron Sorkin
Every year in mid-summer, the mall in Washington, DC is transformed into a huge stage for one of the largest festivals of folk life in the world. In 1986, Sam Schrager created a stage for one of America’s greatest unsung folk arts: trial opening statements and closing arguments. Those performances capped a year-long study Schrager conducted of the oral persuasion…
Chicago
Rob Marshall (book by Bob Fosse)
Every year in mid-summer, the mall in Washington, DC is transformed into a huge stage for one of the largest festivals of folk life in the world. In 1986, Sam Schrager created a stage for one of America’s greatest unsung folk arts: trial opening statements and closing arguments. Those performances capped a year-long study Schrager conducted of the oral persuasion…
12 Angry Men
Sydney Lumet
Every year in mid-summer, the mall in Washington, DC is transformed into a huge stage for one of the largest festivals of folk life in the world. In 1986, Sam Schrager created a stage for one of America’s greatest unsung folk arts: trial opening statements and closing arguments. Those performances capped a year-long study Schrager conducted of the oral persuasion…
