ComedyDrama

Trial and Error

- This is NOT the Birdman of Alcatraz!..It's only Peter Sellers with his sly, sneaky style of humor that creeps up on you and the leaves you wanting more.

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.

Release Date : 1962-09-25

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Dimitri De Grunwald

Production Country : United Kingdom

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Character Name : Wilfred Morgenhall

Original Name : Peter Sellers

Gender : Male

Character Name : Herbert Fowle

Original Name : Richard Attenborough

Gender : Male

Character Name : Doris Fowle

Original Name : Beryl Reid

Gender : Female

Character Name : Frank Bateson

Original Name : David Lodge

Gender : Male

Character Name : Tuppy Morgan

Original Name : Frank Pettingell

Gender : Male

Character Name : Morgenhall's Girl

Original Name : Audrey Nicholson

Gender : Female

Character Name : Mr. Perkins

Original Name : Tristram Jellinek

Gender : Male

Character Name : Judge Banter

Original Name : Eric Woodburn

Gender : Male

Character Name : Clerk of the Court

Original Name : John Waite

Gender : Male

Character Name : Barrister

Original Name : Frank Williams

Gender : Male

Character Name : Examiner

Original Name : Eric Dodson

Gender : Male

Reviews

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2024-11-19

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.