 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
12 Angry Men
- Review Date: July 10, 2003
- NR
- Genre: Drama
- 2001
Common Sense Media says
Outstanding Henry Fonda jury classic.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is a gripping drama that makes assets out of a simple situation (the ordinary deliberations of a jury) and setting (the room where they have been sequestered). Despite its age, this drama still has a lot to say about the principles on which the American justice system is based, as well as issues of prejudice.
What's the story?
"Nice bunch of guys, huh?" one juror remarks sarcastically after a particularly heated argument. The juror played by Henry Fonda replies, "They're about the same as anyone else." That observation is central to 12 ANGRY MEN, which creates mesmerizing drama in an event that takes place many times every day throughout the United States: a man is tried by a jury of his peers.
Is it any good?
Although 12 Angry Men is almost half a century old, its examination of the jury system is as valid as ever, and it may be even more important today when media sensationalism has such a strong effect on public perceptions of the accused. The movie stresses that the most crucial issue is not whether the jurors think the accused is guilty, but, according to the law, whether that has been proven "beyond a reasonable doubt."
Henry Fonda, perfectly cast as a man who values reason, leads a troupe of familiar character actors in a movie that makes a virtue out of its cramped setting. Fonda is one of the great movie stars who will be discovered afresh by new generations.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about confusing aspects of the legal system and the complex topic of prejudice. Parents may also want to explore the idea of being tried by a "jury of your peers," since it's easy for kids to assume that peers are people who are similar to the accused in nearly every way.
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AGE
An Incredible Classic!
12 Angry Men is a fascinating, great film. Although the whole movie takes place in one room, and is just a bunch of men arguing, it still somehow keeps your full attention.
As far as content goes, there isn't too much parents would object to. Characters discuss a murder, but that's pretty much it. It's appropriate for kids, although I'm not sure if many will like it since the whole thing is dialogue and it's rather slow-paced compared to most of today's films.
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Good for all ages
I watched this one night on TCM, and, being interested in such movies, watched the whole thing through. I think it was on Halloween last year, so I was only 14-- so it was fine for my age, and is actually good for almost everyone. Some kids will want to see it, albeit they might fall asleep given their tastes in movies, so i suggest that the viewers be interested in such a genre of movies (or at least the novels of John Grisham-- who is an excellent author by the way).
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Great movie that teens would like the most
Fantastic movie. I watched it in social studies class. It is amazing, but young kids would get bored since nearly the whole movie takes place in one room.
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Fantastic film for tweens and up
A fantastic movie with incredible acting and dialogue that drive the movie. Not much else can drive the movie when the entire thing is shot in a little room.
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AGE
A classic!
Fantastic movie! Little kids will be bored, but older ones should definately see this!
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AGE
12 Angry Men!
I saw this for the first time when I was in school, and I thought, 'a movie made in one room with a bunch of old men?' but then when we watched the film I was riveted. I think this movie might bore younger children, because it is mosstly dialogue and filmed in one room, but for teens and aduls this film is simply brilliant!
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AGE
12 Angry Men: Excellent debate movie
12 Angry Men is an outstanding court room classic. It features Henry Fonda in a good performance and helped launch the careers of several character actors and first time director Sidney Lumet. A fascinating film in every way. Note to parents: The subject matter is a bit intense for young viewers, but for mature pre-teens and above, a great ride.
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AGE
a MUST see!
This is an amazing movie! I viewed it my senior year of high school and every time the bell would ring I would get angry because that meant we would have to pause the movie haha I was skeptical at first, I mean the whole movie takes place in one room. But any skepticism I has flew out the window with the first scene. This is a powerful movie, and being shot in one room it's carried along by the dialogue which will just blow you away. That one man can make 11 others doubt what they firmly believe to be true, is astounding. Young children might be bored, but anyone over the age of 12 should be able to appreciate it.
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AGE
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ok so i saw this movie in school and at first i thought that it would be like so boring. but infact it was like so good!!!! EVERY one (about 50 ppl) was mad at the end of class when we had to stop. Also me and my friends were like talking about it like if the dude was gulty or not personly i thing that he was not gulty but i will not tell you what ends up happing. Anyways it is really good move fao anyone over the age of 10. :)
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AGE
EVERYONE SHOULD WATCH IT
THIS MOVIE WAS AWESOME!! some kids might find it boring though... i watched it wheni was 10, didnt have a problem with it. ALl they do is sit in a roomm and decide whether the guys guilty or not. THe only things thats scary is that the thing there wondering is whether the guy killed his father or not. But they dont talk about the actual killing, like their are no blood images or "descriptiveness" but once they say but the knife would have stabbe dhim dififferently and then out of nowhewre one of the jury members take a knife and stabs the tabnle because hes angry....it sounds scary but its not like there talking about the knife and then the guy is holdintg it, and when hes done-just to prove a point he stabs the knife into the table
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| Studio: | MGM/UA |
| Director: | Sidney Lumet |
| Cast: | Henry Fonda, Joseph Sweeney, Robert Webber |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 95 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | March 6, 2001 |
| DVD release date: | March 6, 2001 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |
| MPAA explanation: | not rated |
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