Trial and Error (a.k.a. The Dock Brief, 1962)
Just because one had toiled many hours in a particular field and has the academic papers to show it, it does not mean that he is a master in that field. He cannot demand due respect just because of that. Respect needs to be earned.
This is another film made from John Mortimer's play. It showcases two of Britain's greatest offering to showbiz - Peter Sellers and Richard Attenborough. It mainly takes place in a prison cell and an imaginary court room.
A pessimistic prisoner, Herbert Fowle (Attenborough), stand accused of murdering his wife. He admits killing his wife, all because she is full of laughter. Her laughing stitch had reached an unacceptable point of annoyance that he could not stand it any further.
Wilfred Morganhall, a down and out lawyer who is hardly seeked upon for legal representation is assigned by the courts to defend Fowle. He instructs his client to plead innocence.
The sequence of events is narrated in flashback. A low morale Fowle comes home daily to his wife who is full of spirit. She laughs incessantly to practical jokes and anything funny. Fowle labours through it all. He later takes in a lodger. What do you know? The lodger is also a practical joker.
Now, Mrs Fowle and the lodger has plenty to share.
Fowle is hoping that his wife and the lodger would decide to elope together and let him some peace. That, however, never happens. One day, she kicks the tenant out of the house instead! With no choice, Fowle kills her!
Wilfred tries to tell his client of his grandiose plans of saving his client. On the actual day of the trial, he fumbles big time making himself a laughing stock at the courts. Needless to say, he loses his case.
A downtrodden Wilfred later pays a visit to his client in prison. His client is elated. Because he was badly represented in the court by a lawyer appointed by the courts, the Home Ministry decided to set Fowle free.
Instead of mocking his lawyer, the client thanked him. If not for his lawyer, he would be a free man!
As you can see, it is an all out satire and nudge at the legal system. Quite an entertaining one too.
Just because one had toiled many hours in a particular field and has the academic papers to show it, it does not mean that he is a master in that field. He cannot demand due respect just because of that. Respect needs to be earned.
This is another film made from John Mortimer's play. It showcases two of Britain's greatest offering to showbiz - Peter Sellers and Richard Attenborough. It mainly takes place in a prison cell and an imaginary court room.
A pessimistic prisoner, Herbert Fowle (Attenborough), stand accused of murdering his wife. He admits killing his wife, all because she is full of laughter. Her laughing stitch had reached an unacceptable point of annoyance that he could not stand it any further.
Wilfred Morganhall, a down and out lawyer who is hardly seeked upon for legal representation is assigned by the courts to defend Fowle. He instructs his client to plead innocence.
The sequence of events is narrated in flashback. A low morale Fowle comes home daily to his wife who is full of spirit. She laughs incessantly to practical jokes and anything funny. Fowle labours through it all. He later takes in a lodger. What do you know? The lodger is also a practical joker.
Now, Mrs Fowle and the lodger has plenty to share.
Fowle is hoping that his wife and the lodger would decide to elope together and let him some peace. That, however, never happens. One day, she kicks the tenant out of the house instead! With no choice, Fowle kills her!
Wilfred tries to tell his client of his grandiose plans of saving his client. On the actual day of the trial, he fumbles big time making himself a laughing stock at the courts. Needless to say, he loses his case.
A downtrodden Wilfred later pays a visit to his client in prison. His client is elated. Because he was badly represented in the court by a lawyer appointed by the courts, the Home Ministry decided to set Fowle free.
Instead of mocking his lawyer, the client thanked him. If not for his lawyer, he would be a free man!
As you can see, it is an all out satire and nudge at the legal system. Quite an entertaining one too.
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