Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (1956)

60% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
59% of users liked it
(608 ratings)

Crusading publisher Austin Spenser (Sidney Blackmer) wants to prove a point about the insufficiency of circumstantial evidence. Spencer talks his prospective son-in-law Tom Garrett (Dana Andrews) into participating in a hoax, the better to expose the alleged ineptitude of conviction-happy DA (Philip… More Crusading publisher Austin Spenser (Sidney Blackmer) wants to prove a point about the insufficiency of circumstantial evidence. Spencer talks his prospective son-in-law Tom Garrett (Dana Andrews) into participating in a hoax, the better to expose the alleged ineptitude of conviction-happy DA (Philip Bourneuf). Tom will plant clues indicating that he is the murderer of a nightclub dancer, then stand trial for murder; just as the jury reaches its inevitable guilty verdict, Spencer will step forth to reveal the set-up and humiliate the DA. Somewhat surprisingly, Tom eagerly agrees to this subterfuge. Unfortunately, an unforeseen event renders their perfectly formed scheme useless. Beyond a Reasonable Doubt was the last American film of director Fritz Lang. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 20 min.
Directed By: Fritz Lang, Peter Hyams
Written By: Douglas Morrow
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

In Theaters: Sep 5, 1956 Wide
On DVD: Dec 22, 2009
Studio: RKO Pictures

Critic Reviews

Bosley Crowther, New York Times
While the purpose may be exemplary, the method the gentlemen employ is highly dubious as a practical exposition. And once it is revealed to prove their point, it should certainly put them in a pickle for conspiring to subvert justice and fool the courts.
John Beifuss, Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
Says a prosecutor, during the trial: 'Beneath his intellectual and cultured exterior, he was moved by brutal impulses.' Is this also Lang's self-indictment? Or an indictment of any artist who trucks in sexual titillation and murder-as-entertainment?
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Strange, complexly styled crime melodrama.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
O último filme americano de Lang é também um de seus trabalhos menos interessantes visualmente, tornando-se ainda mais decepcionante em função do roteiro terrivelmente confuso em suas discussões morais.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Twisty courtroom drama about the dangers of capital punishment.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Michael G

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt doesn't add up to much more than proof that Fritz Lang's best years were definitely behind him. The premise of an author setting himself up to be framed for murder to prove the fallibility of circumstantial evidence begs for something to go wrong… More
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt doesn't add up to much more than proof that Fritz Lang's best years were definitely behind him. The premise of an author setting himself up to be framed for murder to prove the fallibility of circumstantial evidence begs for something to go wrong when the only person who can prove his innocence gets killed. Lang set up the plan well enough and the whole period before the too-little-too-late twist at the end kind of dragged, but overall Beyond a Reasonable Doubt was just generally dull. Dana Andrews was just kind of there and watching Joan Fontaine in this movie was like watching off-white paint dry in a Midwestern state. If you're a hardcore Lang fan you may be able to appreciate this movie on some levels but its mostly just a big dull pile of whatever.

Cast

            Dana Andrews as Tom Garrett

            Joan Fontaine as Susan Spencer

            Sidney Blackmer as Austin Spencer

            Barbara Nichols as Dolly Moore

            Philip Bourneuf as Thompson

            Arthur Franz as Hale

            Shepperd Strudwick as Wilson

            Edward Binns as Lt. Kennedy

            Robin Raymond as Terry Larue

            William Leicester as Charlie Miller

            Dan Seymour as Greco

            Rusty Lane as Judge

            Joyce Taylor as Joan

            Carleton Young as Kirk

            Trudy Wroe as Hatcheck Girl

            Joe Kirk as Clerk

            Charles Evans as Governor

            Wendell Niles as Announcer

            Baynes Barron as Higgens

            Larry Barton as Customer

            William Boyett as Staff

            Benny Burt as Reporter

            Myron Cook as Reporter

            Dorothy Ford as Blonde

            Dorothy Gordon as Secretary

            Joey Ray as Eddie

            Jeffrey Sayre as Foreman of Jury

            Harry Strang as Warden

            Ralph Volkie as Photographer

            Eric Wilton as Clergyman

            Frank Mitchell as Waiter

            Tony DeMario as Doctor

            Carl Sklover as Taxi Driver;Photographer

            Amber Tamblyn
            
            David Jensen
            
            Grant James
            
            Jesse Metcalfe
            
            Joel Moore
            
            Juli Erickson
            
            Megan Brown
            
            Michael Byrnes
            
            Michael Douglas
            
            Tony Bentley
            
            Ed Binns
            
See full cast