The World Was His Jury

Naval man finds evidence stacked against him and his family support severely tested. Lawyer Edmond O'Brien does a nice star turn as a defense attorney who not only defends his client against the charges but fights personal injustice as well. Ah, if only we could find lawyers like him in real life.

Yes, a surprising film in both Fred Sears and Sam Katzman's careers. There were not used to propose dramas; war, adventure, westerns, crime, science fiction, but never dramas - nor comedies. So this one is a gem precisely because of this reason. Not bad, curiously, because Katzman was unbearable in terms of production design choice and action scenes shown to audiences. Here, nothing of the kind, and Edmond O'Brien helps a lot in this small drama. I would have never expected such a film, and I am rather satisfied. A rare film too. Fred Sears in a ,early court room drama, I can't believe it. Try it.

The IMDb trivia section is correct in pointing out that despite being a far-fetched plot, the story is essentially true. However, I researched the story a bit and found that although it was based on the sinking of the SS Morro Castle, the exact reason why the ship sank was never established beyond question. The ending of "The World Was His Jury" is fiction...pure fiction. Still, it's a dandy courtroom drama.

The story begins on the seas. The ship's captain has just died and his First Officer is now in command as the ship heads back to the States. However, soon the ship catches fire and panic ensues--and 127 people are killed. Soon, the media goes crazy--declaring that the accident is the fault of this new captain. In essence, he was tried and convicted by the media. However, despite this sensational climate, a lawyer (Edmond O'Brien) is excited to take the case and prove that the man was not criminally responsible.

The film is one that some might not like because it's very much confined to the courtroom. It does leave on occasion but is still a bit claustrophobic--and people who don't want a cerebral drama probably shouldn't watch. However, the script, while fictionalized, is terrific and Edmond O'Brien is at his best. Overall, great entertainment and well worth seeing. And the ending might be made up, but it's a dandy.