12 Angry Men Quotes
12 Angry Men is a 1957 film about a dissenting juror in a murder trial who slowly manages to convince the others that the case is not as obviously clear as it seemed in court.
Memorable Lines
βGentlemen, that's a very sad thing...to be nothing.β
βItβs very hard to keep personal prejudice out of a thing like this. And no matter where you run into it, prejudice obscures the truth.β
β[Juror #7 has been throwing bits of paper at the fan. One of them bounces off it and hits #9 in the head.] That's a damn stupid thing to do.β
βWell, I'm not used to supposin'. I'm just a workin' man. My boss does all the supposin'-- but I'll try one. Supposin' you talk us all out of this and, uh, the kid really did knife his father?β
βIt's pretty tough to figure, isn't it? A kid kills his father. Bing! Just like that... It's the element... I'm telling ya, they let those kids run wild up there. Well, maybe it serves 'em right.β
β[Revealing that he was the first to join #8 in voting not guilty] This gentleman has been standing alone against us. It's not easy to stand alone against the ridicule of others. So he gambled for support - and I gave it to him.β
β[To #3 after he insults #9] What are you talkin' to him like that for? Guy talks like that to an old man really oughta get stepped on, you know. You oughta have more respect, mister. If you say stuff like that to him again... I'm gonna lay you out.β
βOh, listen, I don't see what all this stuff about the knife has got to do with anything. Somebody saw the kid stab his Father, what more do we need? You guys can talk the ears right off my head you know what I mean? I got three garages of mine going to pot while you're talking! So let's get down and get out of here!β
βJudge: If there's 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 that you find the accused guilty, the bench will not entertain a recommendation for mercy. The death sentence is mandatory in this case. You are faced with a grave responsibility. Thank you, gentlemen.β