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Description

Sidney Lumet's riveting courtroom drama earned five Oscar® nominations including Best Picture and Best Actor for Paul Newman's towering performance as a down-and-out alcoholic attorney who stumbles onto one last chance to redeem himself. When attorney Frank Calvin (Newman) is given an open-and-shut medical malpractice case that no one thinks he can win, he courageously decides to refuse a settlement from the hospital. Instead he takes the case, and the entire legal system, to court. Written by famed playwright David Mamet.

iTunes Store: Customer Reviews

Masterpiece of courtroom drama!

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Buzzdarrell58
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2017-06-23
I have nothing but praise for Sidney Lumet's 'The Verdict' and for Paul Newman's brilliant performance. His fight to regain his self-dignity, in one last ditch effort with this case, is powerful and real. The only problem is with the download of the film. Picture looks great (not bad in SD) BUT the aspect ratio is off?? It is listed as widescreen and it IS presented that way BUT they have squeezed the picture in from the sides of the frame making the actors look thin and distorted. Please iTunes fix this problem. I love this movie and want to watch it numerous times now that it is in my library. Thank you!
UPDATE!!!! Thank you so much iTunes!!! That was such a fast response and fix of the aspect ratio!! The picture framing is PERFECT NOW!! You have a loyal customer with me! I love my iTunes Movie Library!! I really appreciate your effort to satisfy your customer!!!

The Verdict

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Head Maroon
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2015-02-07
Without a doubt one of Paul Newman's finest performances. His portrayal of down and but not out Frank Galvin is masterful. Jack Warden is excellent as his friend and savior. The courtroom scenes are riveting, probably some of the best written. An outstanding film.

Perfect screenplay

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Steel Penny
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2012-06-30
This terrific movie, with outstanding performances and directing, boasts an excellent screenplay, a template for the "simple story with complex characters" quality that characterizes most great screenplays. Newman got a good one here and made the most out of it. Can watch this one over and over.

Newman's best performance

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Ghostbear
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2010-06-16
Newman's best performance and yes he was robbed at the Oscars that year. Great cast and great writing. Jack Warden though has the best line in the movie. I've liked this movie ever since it came out and even after watching many of Newman's films over the years I still think this is his best work.

Excellent !!!

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GCDFW
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2009-11-22
"The Verdict" is excellent! Paul Newman and the entire company delivers a truly authentic slice of Bostonian legal practice in the late-70s! The heavy hand of an entrenched, well-established Boston law firm, a defense-favored judge, and the backing of the Catholic Church paints a grim outlook for Frank (Paul Newman) to win subway fare; much less a decent victory for his working-class client.
A proposed settlement from the ArchDiocese, ultimate owner of the Catholic hospital responsible for the malpractice, is quickly turned down by Frank showing his strength of character and legal ethic that is brought to bear through to his closing argument.
Newman gives a five-star performance as does his supporting cast. The story line includes a few twists and eye openers to a simple malpractice case making the film an intense drama; worthy of the rental and/or purchase price and certainly the run-time.

The Verdict

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glassfern53
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2009-09-05
Starts out slow... but, I was glad I stuck with it! Surprise towards the end. Great movie. would watch again.

A forgotten masterpiece

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DavidMills
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2008-10-04
One his best roles, but a bit forgotten. Sidney Lumet takes a theatre like approach to this courtroom drama. Frank lost everything and has to redeem himself. A role that fits Paul perfectly. Great, great movie full of great acting.

One of his very best

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le Marechal
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2008-09-30
Newman came to like his later work more than his performances in the films that made him a star like The Hustler or Hud. Watch this movie, and you'll see why. He doesn't posture. He doesn't declaim. He doesn't emote. He doesn't use any of his old Actors Studio tricks. Instead, he inhabits the role the role of Frank Galvin and acts rings around such great performers as Jack Warden, Milo O'Shea, and James Mason.

Newman was robbed!!!

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Moved by Movies
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2008-08-07
Yes, Ben Kingsly did a terrific job as Gandhi, but the best acting performance of 1982 was Newman's Frank Galvin. Newman brilliantly captures the troubled, complex, struggling, second-guessing, ambulance-chasing Galvin . It is painful, trying and then uplifting to watch. Oh, and that Lumet guy knows what he is doing behind the camera.