Final Verdict

FINAL VERDICT

Aspect ratio: 1.33:1

Sound format: Mono

Treat Williams plays Earl Rogers, a defense lawyer who specialised in sensational murder trials in turn of the century California, in the true-life TV movie FINAL VERDICT. Williams' performance is restrained and dignified, much like the film itself, which lacks passion. Instead of relating Rogers' entire life story, the film chooses to focus on the events surrounding two particular trials, and is narrated from the point of view of his inquisitive young daughter (Olivia Burnette), who's admiration for her father's legal skills was always tempered by his battle with alcoholism and by the dissolute nature of some of the people he defended. It's a sugar-coated reminiscence, glossy and nostalgic, but the pacing is just a little too laidback for its own good, and the film never really rises to the occasion. But Williams is excellent, as usual, and the production values are solid.

It's true that this movie is not fast-paced, but there are so many historical details to notice, and enjoy, that it's not the point. How could we have progressed so little in such a long time (100 years)? -- look out for great Model T (et al) replicas, trams, moustaches, telephones and a fantastic cigarette lighter... it's the first movie I've seen that gives whorehouses a truly romantic glint. The acting is very good throughout, and not strained. Relax and wonder what it is that we've actually improved on in a century of "civilisation".

This made for TV movie with Treat Williams(The Phantom) as lawyer trying to defend two people at the same time. Earl Roger's (Williams) is a lawyer who was taught believe in truth and justice . Earl learned of this through his father played Glenn Ford(Superman). During the story , Earl takes on two cases, in which his daughter tags along and helps the father.They become partners during the trial of these two people. But there are problems that the two of them must deal with. A sudden death and family problems at home are thrown in for the family. This movie will have you guessing as the final verdict at the end. The daughter also narrates so if you leave or need to do something else , there is a way to keep with this touching family movie!!

This film lacks only one thing, really - a believable,consistent script.

I hoped for the first 20 minutes that it would have a twist at the end, then realised it wouldn't. It's "To Kill a Mockingbird" lite.

I know I'm in England, but was US law in this period REALLY that shoddy? I didn't believe it for a minute.

Good performances all round, though: special mention to Fionnula Flanagan (Pearl, the Madame) - she really should, at least, have been Oscar nominated for Best Supporting for "The Others" this year.

Good cast,solid direction, good art direction. Pity about the story & script.

See "To Kill a Mockingbird" or "Inherit the Wind" instead.

Adela Rogers St. John's loving memoir about her father, famed criminal defense attorney Earl Rogers, is brought to life here in one of the best made for television films ever.

Earl Rogers is arguably the best criminal lawyer of his time or any other. His success is the yardstick that future generations of those who go into criminal law are measured. Treat Williams plays Rogers who between courtroom engagements is a man with some very human weaknesses after all. His daughter's novel A Free Soul is based on her father and Lionel Barrymore won a Best Actor Oscar for it.

The best scenes in the film are with Williams and young Olivia Burnette who plays his daughter Nora who was known by her middle name during her youth. The young lady idolizes her father and later on, no matter what happens he can never lose his special place with her.

Williams is the son of a minister who is played by Glenn Ford in what turned out to be his farewell performance. Ford is not some bible thumper, he's a decent and reasonable man, charged as he sees it with guiding man's soul towards a good destiny. Getting guilty people, and obviously, guilty people off is spreading evil into the world in his eyes.

The period in St. John's growing up shows her father's involvement with two notorious cases. They were real cases, a man killing his wife so he can be with his girlfriend and the killing of a well known gambler by someone who in fact was being cheated.

If God were the one judging us every day, we'd have no need of the talents of those like Earl Rogers. The guilty, and we're all guilty of something would be punished. The legal system in our Anglo-Saxon based countries and in others is man's attempt to make sure punishment is provided in the here and now and to keep a decent order in society. The phrase is after all, law AND order. Ford's inability to understand what Williams's function in society leads to conflict between them, creating a breach that never healed in this world.

Rogers was a notorious alcoholic and much after the action of this film, he died in 1922, is the result of his excesses. His daughter chose the career path of journalism and became as much a success in her field as he in his. For a glimpse of her childhood and of her brilliant, loving, and terribly flawed father, Final Verdict is absolutely recommended.