Gideon's Trumpet

The historic value of this movie is awesome. Yes I recommend it. James Welch Henderson Arkansas 8/26/21.

Just saw this this morning. It was well done, but I think dumbed down for general consumption. It was painful to hear so many distinguished jurists referring to attorneys or counsel as 'lawyers', as if the public wouldn't know to what they were referring. At least in the high court, they did use the proper nomenclature. Fonda did a good job of playing Gideon, although I believe the actual man was only about 50 at the time. He also made him out to be at the same time sympathetic and the unpleasant indignant multiple felon he likely was in reality.

I consider myself well-educated but had never heard of this story until now. I had no idea that the right to have an attorney even if you cannot afford one was established so recently in 1963.

I had heard of the attorney Abe Fortas, but didn't know his role in this story. The name that should be more well-known is Clarence Gideon, the man to thank for pursuing his right to a court-appointed attorney.

The film simplifies the events that took place over more than two years, but it really holds your attention and shows the injustice of trials where the defendant could not afford an attorney and was often convicted without proper pursuit of the truth.

"Gideon's Trumpet" is an exceptional made for TV movie. Part of it is the actors involved...with Henry Fonda, John Houseman and Jose Ferrer (all Oscar winners) appearing in the movie. It's also because I had never heard of this case and it's about one of the most important convictions the Supreme Court ever overturned.

In the early 1960s, Clarence Earl Gideon was arrested for a petty theft. At his trial, he was not represented by a lawyer, as he could not afford one and, amazingly, the state of Florida would not give him one! Apparently, at that time, states could decide whether or not and on a case by case basis to appoint counsel in any case! It's hard to imagine, but Gideon was forced to represent himself and, not being a lawyer, he was convicted.

Once in prison, Gideon became a 'jailhouse lawyer'. In other words, he read up on criminal law and actually petitioned the US Supreme Court to have his conviction overturned since he was not given legal counsel...even though he requested it. And, surprisingly, without a lawyer, he was able to get the Court to hear his case!! What happens next? See the film.

Overall, this is a fascinating movie...well acted, well written and important to see since it established a now recognized right for every American. Well worth seeing.

This movie is slow moving but fascinating. The scenes with the Supreme Court held my attention, as their deliberations are something we seldom see. Henry Fonda is a pleasure to watch, in his portrayal of Clarence Gideon who petitioned the Supreme Court to allow indigent defendants to have a court-appointed attorney. It was a landmark case which is too little known. Mr. Fonda manages to make his role sympathetic while remaining a touch irascible, uncommunicative, and focused on his self-appointed task.

This is a movie which should be seen by more Americans.