The Dock Brief (1962)

6.5 ? Sep 25, 1962 1h 28m

Add to Watchlist

Overview

After nearly 40 years of waiting for his big chance, Wilfred Morgenhall is given the case of defending Herbert Fowle who is accused of murdering his wife. Despite Fowle's insistence of guilt, Moregenhall will not let go of the opportunity to plead his client as innocent and be a star in the courtroom.

Overview

Genres

Comedy Drama

Release Date

September 25, 1962

Rating

6.5 /10

Runtime

1h 28m

Peter Sellers

Wilfred Morgenhall

Richard Attenborough

Herbert Fowle

Beryl Reid

Doris Fowle

David Lodge

Frank Bateson

Frank Pettingell

Tuppy Morgan

Audrey Nicholson

Morgenhall's Girl

Tristram Jellinek

Mr. Perkins

Eric Woodburn

Judge Banter

John Waite

Clerk of the Court

Frank Williams

Barrister

Eric Dodson

Examiner

CinemaSerf

6.0/10

Nov 19, 2024

A more measured effort from Peter Sellers as solicitor "Morgenhall" makes for a better film here than I was expecting. His job is to defend Richard Attenborough ("Fowle)" who is accused of murdering his wife "Doris" (Beryl Reid). Despite being a lawyer for ages, this is his very first case in a court and oh, for the avoidance of any doubt we, the audience, know his client is as guilty as sin! James Hill allows both Sellers and Attenborough to act here; the rest of the courtroom drama style of production is basic and efficient and that just accentuates the skills on offer - great comic timing amongst them. The dialogue is manna from heaven for Sellers, and by the end I dare anyone not to have quite bit of sympathy for poor old "Fowle". It isn't a great film, you probably won't even remember it afterwards, but it passes 90 minutes engagingly enough.

Read full review