cover image MOVIES ON TRIAL: The Legal System and the Silver Screen

MOVIES ON TRIAL: The Legal System and the Silver Screen

Anthony Chase, . . New Press, $25.95 (204pp) ISBN 978-1-56584-700-2

When many people show up for jury duty, they expect a scenario akin to what they saw in Twelve Angry Men. Arguing that civilians' perception of American law is largely shaped by representations of it in motion pictures and TV, law professor Chase (Law and History) explores films that deal with criminal law, civil law, international law, interpretations of the Constitution and more. He dissects well-known law-related movies such as Dirty Harry and Judgement at Nuremberg as well as more unlikely ones, including Fight Club and Flashdance. Serious in tone, this will be of interest to law-practicing film buffs. (July)