12 Angry Men (1997)

After Sidney Lumet’s masterful 12 Angry Men (1957), it’s reasonable to question the mere existence of another filmed version. But with William Friedkin behind the camera and another all-star ensemble on screen, HBO’s 1997 edition is well deserving of a look, whether or not you caught it upon its initial release.

Like the various compelling stage versions of playwright Reginald Rose’s source material over the years, this second take is automatically different based on the casting and filmmakers. The choice to shoot in color offers another significant shift — going the B&W route likely would have come off as mere homage without the tightrope urgency of CBS’ star-studded live broadcast of Fail Safe — and while the decision doesn’t kill the courtroom vibe, it doesn’t quite enhance it.

Putting his own stamp on the iconic work, Friedkin makes multiple subtly sweeping camera movements similar to Lumet’s, but also employs a good deal of handheld shots to amplify the intensity of the exchanges. Some small but noticeable changes are also present in the script, updated by Rose himself, which adds 20 minutes via new conversations about psychological tests and other modern topics.

These writing alterations lead to some less convincing changes of heart from the jurors, but the ensemble nevertheless remains this 12 Angry Men’s greatest draw and strength. A truly phenomenal cast for 1997, Courtney B. Vance, Ossie Davis, George C. Scott, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Dorian Harewood, James Gandolfini, Tony Danza, Jack Lemmon, Hume Cronyn, Mykelti Williamson, Edward James Olmos, and William Petersen all shine, and the enhanced diversity results in a compelling racial element and elevated immigration activism.

Lemmon ably fills the shoes of Henry Fonda’s initial unsure juror, and Williamson’s turn as a former Nation of Islam member with a superiority complex provides an intriguing update to Ed Begley’s racist Juror #10. But the most brilliant choice is the casting of Cobb doppelgänger Scott in the same role, connecting the two films on a bizarre visage level as well.

Grade: B-plus. Rated PG-13. Available on DVD, Blu-ray, and as a bonus feature on Kino Lorber’s 4K Ultra HD release of 12 Angry Men (1957)

(Photo: Kino Lorber)