The Verdict is a 1982 feature film which tells the story of a down-on-his-luck alcoholic lawyer who pushes a medical malpractice case in order to improve his own situation, but discovers along the way that he is doing the "right" thing. Since the lawsuit involves a woman in a persistent vegetative state, the movie is cast in the shadow of the Karen Ann Quinlan case.
The movie stars Paul Newman, Charlotte Rampling, Jack Warden, James Mason, Milo O'Shea and Lindsay Crouse.
Directed by Sidney Lumet, the movie was adapted by David Mamet from the novel by Barry Reed and is not a remake of the 1946 film, The Verdict, directed by Don Siegel and starring Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre.
The Verdict was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Paul Newman), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (James Mason), Best Director, Best Picture and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium.
- Robert Redford was originally slated to star in this film, but he was uncomfortable with the script. After several rewrites, he decided that he did not like the story and left the project. Sidney Lumet came on board and chose the original script as the one he would direct.
- Bruce Willis has an uncredited background appearance as an extra, in one of his first film projects. During the closing arguments of the trial, he is clearly seen sitting next to another uncredited extra, Tobin Bell.
- In the school yard scene, the graffiti on the building wall, clearly says, Pink Floyd "The Wall", The Who, and Physical Graffiti, the name of a famous double album by Led Zeppelin.
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