12 Angry Men 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		0.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		5.0

12 Angry Men 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov April 19, 2023

Sidney Lumet's "12 Angry Men" (1957) arrives on 4K Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the release include exclusive new audio commentary recorded by critic and filmmaker Gary Gerani; archival audio commentary recorded by film historian Drew Casper; archival programs about the production history of the film; vintage trailer; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

The men

Sidney Lumet’s 12 Angry Men may well be the simplest yet most effective courtroom drama ever filmed. It takes place in a small room, on a hot summer day, and follows twelve jurors as they attempt to determine the fate of a young Puerto Rican man charged with the killing of his father. The focus of attention is entirely on the interpretations of the evidence the jurors have been presented with.

The names of the jurors are not revealed before they enter the room. They are also not mentioned after they enter the room. When the men address each other they use their numbers.

The foreman, Juror No.1 (Martin Balsam, Tora! Tora! Tora!), is an energetic and accommodating football coach. Juror No. 2 (John Fiedler, The Odd Couple) is a quiet but curious bank clerk. Juror No.3 (Lee J. Cobb, On the Waterfront) is an energetic and stubborn businessman. Juror No. 4 (E.G. Marshall, The Chase) is a respected and critical broker. Juror No. 5 (Jack Klugman, Days of Wine & Roses) is a young Baltimore Orioles fan. Juror No. 6 (Edward Binns, The Verdict) is a tough house painter. Juror No.7 (Jack Warden, All the President's Men) is a loud and fast-talking salesman. Juror No.8 (Henry Fonda, Once Upon a Time in the West) is a quiet architect. Juror No. 9 (Joseph Sweeney, The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit) is an intelligent and observant old man. Juror No. 10 (Ed Begley, Hang 'Em High) is a loud and obnoxious garage owner. Juror No. 11 (George Voskovec, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold) is an East European watchmaker. And Juror No. 12 (Robert Webber, 10) is an energetic advertising agent who loves to crack jokes.

The first vote reveals that only one of the jurors, No. 8, is unsure whether the young man is indeed guilty. His uncertainty triggers a series of passionate discussions during which each juror reevaluates the evidence presented by the prosecution. Then a series of new votes follow.

The story that is told has two simple goals: to explain the jury process and the principle of reasonable doubt. Through the various discussions that follow the initial vote, the story tackles familiar social and cultural prejudices that could reshape the "truth". The ones highlighted after Juror No. 11 sides with Juror No. 8 are particularly interesting as they are very much alive and well today.

The resolution of the drama is reassuring yet quite sobering. Because of the mistakes made by the defense, it is up to the jurors to uphold justice. Naturally, there are two different trials underway -- one for the young man who is accused of killing his father, and another that judges the American legal system.

12 Angry Men is based on a television play by Reginald Rose and was director Lumet’s first feature film. It was released in 1957, three years after the television play directed by Franklin J. Schaffner had aired as part of the CBS series Westinghouse Presents Studio One.

Except for Fonda, at the time the only true star, and Begley, none of the other actors that played the jurors were particularly well-known in Hollywood. They were all stage actors that had done some TV work.

The acting, however, is uniformly superb. Fonda is incredible as the liberal architect who asks the majority of the difficult questions. Voskovec is very convincing as the naturalized American citizen as well. Cobb’s character transformation is absolutely breathtaking.

*In 1958, 12 Angry Men won Golden Bear Award at the Berlin International Film Festival. In 2007, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

12 Angry Men 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Kino Lorber's release of 12 Angry Men is a 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack. However, the film is presented only in native 4K on the 4K Blu-ray. The Blu-ray has only the bonus features, one of which is William Friedkin's 1997 made-for-TV remake.

The 4K Blu-ray introduces a brand new 4K restoration of 12 Angry Men which can be viewed with Dolby Vision and HDR grades. I chose to view it with Dolby Vision and later did a few quick comparisons with HDR.

The 4K makeover of 12 Angry Men is outstanding. It produces wonderful, very nicely balanced organic visuals with a superb grayscale. Delineation, clarity, and depth are almost always within what I consider to be 'reference levels', so even on a very large screen, the quality of these visuals remains quite striking. There are a few areas with minor density fluctuations -- the finale where Henry Fonda is seen leaving the room is a good example -- but they are part of the original cinematography. The surface of the visuals is immaculate, too. Grain appears exceptionally healthy and beautifully resolved, just as it needs to be on a modern and more importantly proper 4K makeover. A direct comparison with Criterion's Blu-ray release from 2011 easily reveals several notable improvements. For example, density levels are superior, and several ranges of highlights appear better managed. I think that the Dolby Vision grade further emphasizes these and several other smaller improvements as well. The superior ranges of grays, blacks, and whites make a substantial difference, too. All in all, the quality of the new 4K makeover is such that it is very easy to declare that its presentation in native 4K closes the home video cycle of 12 Angry Men. The 4K Blu-ray release will be the definitive home video release of this classic film.

12 Angry Men 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The exchanges between the men are very sharp and clear. On the lossless track that was used on Criterion's Blu-ray release, I detected some extremely light background hiss popping up here and there, but I did not spot it here. Dynamic contrasts are as good as I think they could be.

12 Angry Men 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

4K BLU-RAY DISC

• Commentary One - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by critic and filmmaker Gary Gerani (Romantic Mysticism: The Music of Billy Goldenberg). Mr. Gerani has some very interesting comments about the shortcomings of the twelve jurors and how they could but should not shape their decisions. Also, there are good comments about the management of the drama throughout the film and how it becomes thought-provoking.

• Commentary Two - this is the same archival audio commentary with film historian Drew Casper that appeared on MGM's 50th Anniversary DVD release of 12 Angry Men, which was produced in 2008.

BLU-RAY DISC

• 12 Angry Men (1997) - presented here is William Friedkin's made-for-TV remake of the classic film. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles. English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. 1080p.

• Beyond a Reasonable Doubt: Making 12 Angry Men - this archival program offers an in-depth look at the production history of Sidney Lumet's film. With comments from writer and Professor of Law at UCLA Michael Asimov, executive editor at AFI Patricial King Hanson, film historian Robert Osborne, director Sydney Lumet, actor Jack Klugman (Juror #5), and Court TV anchor Jami Floyd, amongst others. In English, not subtitled. (23 min).

• Inside the Jury Room - presented in this archival program are additional comments from the interviewees listed in the program above which addresses the criminal justice system in the United States and how it is portrayed in Sydney Lumet's film. In English, not subtitled. (16 min).

• Trailer One - presented here is a vintage U.S. trailer for Sidney Lumet's 12 Angry Men. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Trailer Two - presented here is a vintage U.S. trailer for William Friedkin's made-for-TV remake of the classic film. In English, not subtitled. (1 min).

12 Angry Men 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The new 4K makeover that was prepared for Sidney Lumet's 12 Angry Men is beautiful. When viewed in native 4K, it looks incredible, too. So, Kino Lorber's 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack will close the film's cycle on the home video market, which means that if you pick it up for your collection, you will never have to consider another upgrade. If you decide to do so, you need to keep two things in mind. First, the 4K makeover is available only on the 4K Blu-ray. The Blu-ray has several bonus features, one of which is William Friedkin's made-for-TV remake of the classic film. Second, Criterion's Blu-ray release of 12 Angry Men has some pretty good bonus features that are not included on the 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack, so if you have it, you should keep it in your collection. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.