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NOTE: The notes on characters are extremely brief, since it is felt that what they are and who they are will he revealed in their dialogue and actions during the course of the film.
FOREMAN: 35 years old. Assistant high school football coach.
A small, petty man who is at first vary of, and then impressed with the authority he has. Handles himself quite formally. Not overly bright, but dogged.
Juror #2: 38 years old. Bank clerk. A meek, hesitant man who finds it difficult to maintain any opinions of his own.
Easily swayed and usually adopts the opinion of the last person to idiom he has spoken.
Juror #3: 40 years old. Head of messenger service. A very strong, very forceful, extremely opinionated man within whom can be detected a streak of sadism. A humorless man who is intolerant of opinions other than his own, and accustomed to forcing his wishes and views upon others.
Juror #4: 50 years old. Stockbroker. A man of wealth and position. A practiced speaker who presents himself well at all times. Seems to feel a little bit above the rest of the Jurors. His only concern is with the facts in this case and he is appalled with the behavior of the others. Constantly preening himself, combing his hair, cleaning his nails, etc.
Juror #5: 25 years old. Mechanic. A naive, very frightened young man who takes his obligations in this case very seriously but who finds it difficult to speak up when his elders have the floor.
Juror #6: 33 years old. Housepainter. An honest, but dull- witted man who comes upon his decisions slowly and carefully.
A man who finds it difficult to create positive opinions, but who must listen to and digest and accept these opinions offered by others which appeal to him moat.
Juror #7: 42 years old. Salesman. A loud, flashy, glad-handed sales man type who has more important things to do than to sit on a Jury. He is quick to show temper, quick to form opinions on things about which he knows nothing. He is a bully, and, of course, a coward.
Juror #8: 42 years old. Architect. A quiet, thoughtful, gentle man. A man who sees many sides to every question and constantly seeks the truth. A man of strength tempered with compassion. Above all, a man who wants Justice to be done, and will fight to see that it is.
Juror #9: 70 years old. Retired. A mild, gentle old man, long since defeated by life, and now merely waiting to die. A man who recognizes himself for what he is, and mourns the days
when it would have been possible to be courageous without shielding himself behind his many years. From the way he take pills whenever he is excited, it is obvious that he has a heart condition.
Juror #10: 46 years old. Garage owner. An angry, bitter man.
A man who antagonizes almost at sight. A bigot who places no values on any human life save his own. A man who has been no where and is going nowhere and knows it deep within him. He has a bad cold and continually blows his nose, sniffs a ben- zedrine inhaler, etc.
Juror #11: 48 years old. Watchmaker. A refugee from Europe who has come to this country in 1941. A man who speaks with an accent and who is ashamed, humble, almost subservient to the people around him, but a man who will honestly seek Justice because he has suffered through so much injustice.
Juror #12: 30 years old. Advertising man. A slick, bright advertising man who thinks of human beings in terms of percentages, graphs and polls, and has no real understanding of people. A superficial snob, but trying to be a good fellow. Throughout the film he doodles on a scratch pad.
AND
THE JUDGE
THE COURT CLERK
THE GUARD
THE two alternate JURORS
ADD ( IF DESIRED )
THE COURT STENOGRAPHER
FADE IN:
1 EXT. LONG SHOT - N. Y. - COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS - DAY 1
A large, imposing tallying, gray, impressive as a background for the comings and goings of a number of ordinary people on an ordinary day. Camera holds on steps and building front from a distance and then dollies in slowly.
DISSOLVE TO:
JUDGE
Pardon me, gentlemen. (Gravely) To continue, you’ve heard a long and complex case. Murder in the first degree ... premeditated homicide ... is the most serious charge tried in our criminal courts.
MEDIUM SHOT - THE JURY
From. judge's angle. Seated in the jury box, listening intently to the judge. We see the 14 members of the jury.
This includes the two alternates who sit on the far right side of the jury, one behind the other. The jury sits in numerical order reading from left to right: the through #6 in the front row, #7-#12 in the rear row. As the judge speaks, camera dollies slowly in, still holding on jury but excluding the alternates.
JUDGE You've listened to the testimony, and you’ve had the law read to you and interpreted as it applies to this case. It now becomes your duty to sit down to try and separate the facts from the fancy. One man is dead. The life of another is at stake. I urge you to deliberate honestly and thoughtfully.
Camera is now in close on #'s 1, 2, 7 and 8. It begins to par slowly right. #7 fidgets endlessly. #10 sniffs as if he has a cold. #3 looks coldly off in the direction in which the defendant sits. All other jurymen watch the judge, listening intently. As the judge finishes his lines, camera is on #'s 5, 6, 11 and 12.
JUDGE If there is a reasonable doubt in your minds as to the guilt of the accused ...a reasonable doubt... then you must bring me a verdict of not guilty. If, however, there is no reasonable doubt, then you must, in good conscience find the accused guilty. However you decide, your verdict must be unanimous. In the event you find the accused guilty bench will not entertain a recommendation for mercy. The death sentence is mandatary in this case.
The judge pauses for a moment. There is a stillness in the room.
CLOSE UP JUDGE - ENTIRE JURY IN BACKGROUND
The judge's profile fills the left side of the frame. In right background, we see the jury box.
JUDGE I don’t envy you your job. You are faced with a grave responsibility. Thank you, gentlemen.
There is a pause. The judge turns away from the jury and nods in another direction.
CLOSE UP THE FACE OF THE COURT CLERK
CLERK The alternate jurors are excused.
MEDIUM SHOT - THE JURY
AU of their heads turn to camera right. Self-consciously the two alternates rise and move awkwardly out of the jury box.
When they are gone, we hear the clerk.
CLERK The Jury will retire.
The members of the Jury look hesitantly at each other, each reluctant to be the first to stand. Finally #3 stands up.
Then the others begin to rise and file slowly off left until the Jury box is empty.
MEDIUM SHOT - THE JURY
They file through a long corridor, than through one door, then another. They are silent, serious. All we hear is the sound of their footsteps. Credits are superimposed over this scene. As credits end:
DISSOLVE TO:
MEDIUM SHOT - THE JURY ROOM
The room is empty, silent save for the sounds of traffic twelve floors below. In center of room is a large scarred table and twelve chairs. There are four other chairs against the opposite the windows. Along one wall are three windows through which wee can see the New York skyline. On the opposite wall is an electric clock and an electric fan. At
He has finished counting them.
GUARD Okay, gentlemen. Everybody's here. If there's anything you went I’m right outside. Just knock.
He exits, closing the door as camera dollies back to include Juror #5, the youngest Juryman, who watches the door. We hear the lock click. #5 half grins, self-consciously.
I never knew they locked the door.
Sure they lock the door. What'd you think?
I don't know. It just never occurred to me.
#10 gives him the look of a professional know-it-all, and then turns and takes off his jacket. He walks across room to coat rack, camera dollying with him. He passes the Foreman who stands at the head of the table tearing up little slips of paper for ballots, and he stops.
Hey, what's that for?
FOREMAN Well, I figured we might want to vote by ballots.
(grinning) Great idea! Maybe we can get him elected senator.
#10 laughs until he begins to cough. He moves off to the coat
The Foreman looks at his watch and compares it with the clock. The 3rd Juror takes a cup of water from the water- cooler, moves to the 2nd Juror and looks around the room as he sips the water.
(to the #2) How'd you like it?
(mildly)
I don't know, it was pretty interesting.
Yeah? I was falling asleep.
I mean, I've never been on a jury before.
Really? I've sat on juries, and it always amazes me the way these lawyers can talk, and talk and talk, even when the case is as obvious as this one. I mean, did you ever hear so much talk about nothing?
Well, I guess they're entitled.
Sure they are. Everybody deserves a fair trial. That's the system. Listen, I'm the last one to say anything against it, but I'm telling you sometimes I think we'd be better off if we took these tough kids and slapped 'em down before they make trouble, you know? Save us a lot of time and money.
#2 looks at him nervously, nods, gets up and walks to the water cooler, camera dollying with him. He pours himself a drink and stands alone sipping it. We hear movement in the room during all of this, and quiet ad lib conversation.
MEDIUM SHOT - THE ROOM FROM #2'S ANGLE
#2 big in foreground, sipping his water. #3 is hanging up his jacket. #6 and #8 are looking out windows. #4, #11 and the Foreman are seated at table. #7 and #10 are at far end of the room, talking quietly. #7 lets out a raucous laugh. #9 is still in men's room. #5 walks toward water cooler. #12 is walking over to windows. Camera dollies in on #12. As camera nears #12, #7 calls out to Foreman. #12 stops walking.
Hey, how about getting started here.
Yeah, let's get this over with. We've probably all got things to do.
Yeah! And what about the business with the knife- I mean asking grown- up people to believe that kind of bushwash.
#8 turns during these lines to look at #7.
MEDIUM SHOT - #7 AND #
#10 sits in a chair not at table, #7 stands over him mopping his brow
Well look, you've gotta expect that. You know what you’re dealing with.
Yeah, I suppose.
#10 blows his nose vigorously.
What’s the matter, you got a cold?
And how. These hot weather colds can kill you. (he tilts his head back slightly) I can hardly touch my nose. Know what I mean?
#7 nods sympathetically.
I just got over one.
There is an awkward pause. #7 looks at his watch. Then he looks up at Foreman, who is standing at head of table.
What d’ya say, Mr. Foreman?
MEDIUM SHOT - #7, #10, FOREMAN, #3, #4, FROM ANOTHER ANGLE
Foreman big in foreground, standing at head of table. #7, # in background. #3, #4 seated at left at table. Foreman looks around at the wall clock. #3 leans over to scan #4’s newspaper.
Anything exciting going on?
#4 looks up at him.
(smiling) I didn't get a chance to look at the papers today.
I was just wondering how the market closed.
(pleasantly) I wouldn't knew. Say, are you on the exchange or something.
I'm a broker.
Well that's very interesting. Listen, maybe you can answer a question for me. I have an uncle who’s been playing around with some Canadian stuff...
The foreman turns around, and, as if it is an effort, calls out loudly to the others.
FOREMAN All right, gentlemen. Let’s take seats.
There is a slow movement towards the table. #3 shrugs at # and turns to the Foreman.
This better be fast. I get tickets to a ball game tonight. Yanks- Cleveland. We got this new kid, Modjelewski, or whatever his name is, going. He’s a bull, this kid!
He shoots his hand forward and out to indicate the path of a curve ball.
Shhhooooom. A real jug handle. (to Foreman) Where d’ya want us to sit?
CLOSE UP - FOREMAN
When he gets used to this miner authority he will enjoy it. Right now he is still nervous.
(to #12) Yes, I think he did an expert job.
I mean, he had a lot of drive too. Real drive.
(calling, off) Okay, let’s get this show on the road.
FOREMAN (standing, to #8) How about sitting down.
CLOSE UP - #
#8 doesn't hear the Foreman. He stares out window.
FOREMAN The gentlemen at the window.
#8 turns, startled.
FOREMAN How about sitting down.
Oh. I’m sorry.
MEDIUM SHOT - CENTERING ON #
#8 heads for a seat.
(across table to #4) It's pretty tough to figure, isn't it? A kid kills his father. Bing! Just like that.
(butting in) Well, if you analyze the figures...
(ploughing ahead) It's the element. I'm tellin' you they let those kids run wild up there. Well, maybe it serves 'em right. Know what I mean?
This is an annoying characteristic of #10's, this forcing an answer with "know what I mean?", as if he is saying "listen, you better answer me, because I’m somebody, see?" #4 reacts by looking squarely at #10, nodding and turning back to his paper. #8 has sat down quietly by this time. #11 has looked curiously from #10 to #12 during this exchange.
CLOSE UP - FOREMAN
FOREMAN Is everybody here?
MEDIUM SHOT - #'S 4, 5, 6, 7
(gesturing towards bathroom) The old man's inside.
FOREMAN Would you knock on the door.
#6 gets up and starts for the bathroom, camera panning with him.
(To #5 as #6 goes by) Hey, you a Yankee fan?
No. Baltimore.
Baltimore! Oh, the suffering! That's like being hit in the head with a crowbar once a day! Listen, who they got...
Camera has stayed with #6. He reaches the bathroom door and is about to knock when #9 opens the door.
(apologetically) I was just coming to get you.
(off) I'm asking you, who they got besides great groundskeepers?
FOREMAN (off) We'd like to get started.
Come on, let’s vote.
Yeah. Let's see who’s where.
FOREMAN Anybody doesn’t want to vote?
He looks around the table. There is no answer.
FOREMAN All right. This has to be a twelve- to-nothing vote either way. That's the law. Okay, are we ready? All those voting guilty raise your hands.
Seven or eight hands go up immediately. Several others go up more slowly. Everyone looks around, the table as the Foreman begins to count hands. #9's hand goes up now, and all hands are raised, save #8's.
FOREMAN ...nine... ten... eleven. That's eleven for guilty. Okay, Not guilty.
CLOSE UP - #
He slowly raises his hand.
FOREMAN One. Right. Okay, eleven to one, guilty. Now we know where we are.
#8 lowers his hand.
(off) Boy-oh-boy. There’s always one.
#8 doesn't look in his direction.
So what do we do now?
Weil, I guess we talk.
Boy-oh-boy.
CLOSE UP - #
(Leaning across to #8) Well look, do you really think he’s innocent?
CLOSE UP - #
I don't know.
CLOSE UP - #
(smiling) I mean let’s be reasonable. You sat right in court and heard the same things we did. The man's a dangerous killer. You could see it.
CLOSE UP - #
He’s nineteen years old.
CLOSE UP - #
Well, that's old enough. He knifed his own father. Four inches into the chest.
MEDIUM SHOT - CENTERING ON #
(to #8) It's pretty obvious. I mean, I was convinced from the first day.
CLOSE UP - #
Well, who wasn't? (to #8) I really think this is one of those open and shut things. They proved it a dozen different ways. Would you like me to list them for you?
CLOSE UP - #
No.
Supposing we're wrong! Supposing this whole building fell on my head. You can suppose anything.
That's right.
What's the difference how long it takes? We honestly think he's guilty. So supposing we finish in five minutes? So what?
Let's take an hour. The ball game doesn’t start till eight o'clock.
#7 looks angrily at him for a moment, and the suddenly breaks into a smile as if to say, "What am I beating myself up over you for?" #7 makes the curve ball motion with his hand again.
(smiling) Shhhoom!
He settles hack in his chair, smiling.
L0NG SHOT - TABLE FROM #7’S ANGLE CENTERED OT FOREMAN
Bo one says a word for a moment.
FOREMAN (hesitantly) Well who's got something to say?
He looks at #2. #2 shrugs.
Not me.
Foreman looks around the table. Some of them shrug, others merely sit. He looks at #9.
I'm willing to sit for an hour.
Great. (a pause) I heard a pretty good story last night...
(sharply) That’s not what we’re sitting here for.
MEDIUM SHOT - CENTERED ON #
#10 and #8 speak across #9, who turns from one to another. Camera shoots over shoulders of #'s 4 and 5.
All right, then you tell me. What are we sitting here for?
#8 looks at him, trying to phrase the following. They wait.
Maybe for no reason. I don't know. Look, this boy's been kicked around all his life. You know, living in a slum, his mother dead since he was nine. He spent a year and a half in an orphanage while his father served a jail term for forgery. That's not a very good headstart. He's a wild, angry kid and that's all he's ever been. You know why he got that way? Because he was knocked on the head by somebody once a day, every day. He's had a pretty terrible nineteen years. I think maybe we owe him a few words. That's all.
He looks around the table. #9 nods slowly.
I don’t mind telling you this, mister. We don't owe him a thing. He got a fair trial, didn't he? What d'you think that trial cost? He's lucky he got it. (turning to #11) Know what I mean? (Now looking across table at #’s 3, 4, 5) Look, we're all grown-ups in here. We heard the facts, didn't we? (to #8) Now you're not going to tell us that we're supposed to believe that kid, knowing what he is. Listen, I've lived among 'em all my life. You can't believe a word they say. You know that. (to all)
