Movie Reviews

’12 Angry Men’ (1997) Blu-Ray Review – William Friedkin Adaptation Buoyed By A Towering Ensemble

By Dillon Gonzales
March 14, 2022
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The combatants: a dozen strangers. The stakes: life and death. Screen legends Jack Lemmon (Some Like It Hot) and George C. Scott (They Might Be Giants) head an all-star cast in this taut, emotionally charged courtroom drama that is as powerful as the original was when it first burst upon the screen. A young man stands accused of fatally stabbing his father, and his fate now lies in the hands of twelve men from all walks of life, each with his own agenda, fears and personal demons. Fortunately, this is an open-and-shut case. Or is it? As the evidence is painstakingly scrutinized, tensions mount and tempers rise… and the twelve jurors are forced to confront their secret frailties and bitter prejudices in an unrelenting struggle for the truth. The phenomenal cast includes Courtney B. Vance (Dangerous Minds), Ossie Davis (Jungle Fever), Armin Mueller-Stahl (Eastern Promises), Dorian Harewood (Full Metal Jacket), James Gandolfini (TV’s The Sopranos), Tony Danza (TV’s Taxi), Hume Cronyn (Lifeboat), Mykelti Williamson (Forrest Gump), Edward James Olmos (Zoot Suit), William Petersen (Manhunter) and Mary McDonnell (Dances with Wolves). William Friedkin, the legendary director of The Boys in the Band, The French Connection, The Exorcist, Sorcerer and To Live and Die in L.A., takes on Reginald Rose’s riveting teleplay and will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final verdict is in.

For thoughts on 12 Angry Men (1997), please check out our discussion on The Video Attic here.

Video Quality

12 Angry Men (1997) makes its Blu-Ray debut courtesy of Kino Classics with a digital AVC encoded 1080p transfer in both the 1.78:1 Theatrical Ratio and 1.33:1 TV Ratio. While there is no specific indication that this is from a new scan, the source appears to be in great shape which makes for an excellent viewing experience. There does not appear to be much in the way of print damage such as nicks and scratches, and overall clarity and detail is excellent. The presentation is enjoyable throughout most of the runtime with image stability and delineation being top notch. This transfer maintains the natural film grain of the presentation with only minor instances of seeming a bit loose. The picture maintains a nice depth even in the claustrophobic setting, and the warm color palette is used well to mimic the heat outside. Skin tones are natural and consistent with subtle facial features easily noticeable in closeup. Black levels hold up well with very little in the way of crush. This presentation is a really nice effort that should please those who never expected this to receive a physical release.

Audio Quality

This new Blu-Ray comes with a lossless DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio mix that features all of the sounds of the film quite well. This is a film that utilizes its jazzy score effectively to create a melodramatic mood piece. This and all of the other sounds are presented with great clarity and a pleasing fidelity as they come through the room. The dialogue holds up wonderfully, coming through clearly without being stepped on by the music or subtle sound effects. The environmental effects are delineated nicely including the murmuring of the audience in the courtroom. The track avoids most instances of age related wear and tear or distortion. This is a track that represents the film in an impressive manner. Optional English subtitles are provided on this disc.

Special Features

Trailer: The 50-second trailer is provided here.

Final Thoughts

12 Angry Men already had one iconic adaptation that places it among the best debuts of all time, but that does not mean that there is not room for other interpretations. This text is one that allows performers to really sink their teeth into it and deliver something memorable. While director William Friedkin does not do anything revolutionary with the material, the sheer versatility of talent assembled with this version is so immense that you cannot pass it by. The entire ensemble works incredibly well together and allows this take on the material to stand proudly by the original. Kino Classics has released a new Blu-Ray featuring a fantastic A/V presentation in two aspect ratios, but not much in the way of special features. If you are a fan of the material of the performers involved, picking this up should be a no-brainer. Recommended

12 Angry Men (1997) is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray and DVD.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Kino Classics has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.