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The Paradine Case Details

1947 Certificate U
  • Rated:
  • 60
  • from 774 members

Considering Alfred Hitchcock's lifelong fascination with murder and suspense, it is remarkable that THE PARADINE CASE stands as a rare Hitchcock courtroom drama. A beautiful woman (Maddalena Anna Paradine, played by the enchanting Alida Valli) stands accused of murdering her wealthy, blind husband. She enlists the aid of .. Read more

Starring Gregory Peck, Ann Todd, Charles Laughton, Charles Coburn
Director Alfred Hitchcock
Genres Drama

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The Paradine Case

Considering Alfred Hitchcock's lifelong fascination with murder and suspense, it is remarkable that THE PARADINE CASE stands as a rare Hitchcock courtroom drama. A beautiful woman (Maddalena Anna Paradine, played by the enchanting Alida Valli) stands accused of murdering her wealthy, blind husband. She enlists the aid of renowned lawyer Anthony Keane (Gregory Peck). As they prepare her defense, the chemistry between the two begins to heat up. And as his emotions for Mrs. Paradine grow stronger, Keane grows more convinced of her innocence. The case will be a difficult one, however, as the judge (Charles Laughton) is no friend of Keane's; the queen's prosecutor, played by the excellent Leo G. Carroll, is a serious foe; and only an inspired defense will have any chance of clearing Mrs. Paradine.

Starring Gregory Peck, Ann Todd, Charles Laughton, Charles Coburn, Louis Jourdan, Ethel Barrymore, Leo G. Carroll
Director Alfred Hitchcock
Studio PRISM LEISURE
Run time DVD: 1 hr 50 mins
Certificate Certificate U
Collections 100 Top Thrillers
Genres Drama
Language DVD: English
Released DVD: 08 Apr 2002
Production year: 1947
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (3) of The Paradine Case

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  • 3 stars out of 5

    This is one of those pictures that no amount of professional polish could save. Producer David O Selznick and director Alfred Hitchcock disagreed over the script, the shooting style and the leads (Hitchcock wanting Laurence Olivier and Greta Garbo for the roles filled by Gregory Peck and Alida Valli, in her US film debut), and the discord shows on screen. Peck has never looked so uncomfortable as the lawyer who jeopardises his career and his marriage (to Ann Todd) to help Valli, who's accused of murdering her wealthy husband and is keeping secret her affair with Louis Jourdan. Hitchcock is always watchable, but this should have been so much better.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006
  • 2 stars out of 4

    A stodgy and old-fashioned script is given gleaming treatment; this and the acting make it seem better thirty years later than it did on release.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
    • Posted 02 Mar 2006

  • Most helpful member's review of The Paradine Case

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  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Legal Tangle

    If you enjoy court cases with a difference, then The Paradine Case will be just what you want.

    With fine performances from Gregory Peck and Valli (who also appears in The Third Man) along with Charles Coburn, Charles Laughton and Ethel Barrymore (Drew Barrymores Great Aunt). It is also interesting for the Louis Jourdon early role as the Valet.

    A good all round film of the 1940's

      • Neville Kelley from Abergele, North Wales
      • Posted 26 Jan 2005 unknown

  • Most recent members' review of The Paradine Case

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  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    Another Hitchcock classic

    Not a bad film at all. The cast was great, the plot a bit monotonus, but was worth watching. Good acting by well known cast. Worth renting.

      • A customer from West Midlands
      • Posted 16 Feb 2006 20:23

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Rating breakdown

774 Member ratings
  • 100
38
  • 90
32
  • 80
94
  • 70
124
  • 60
189
  • 50
114
  • 40
90
  • 30
49
  • 20
30
  • 10
14

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    • The Paradine Case

    • The Paradine Case
      Considering Alfred Hitchcock's lifelong fascination with murder and suspense, it is remarkable that THE PARADINE CASE stands as a rare Hitchcock courtroom drama. A beautiful woman (Maddalena Anna Paradine, played by the enchanting Alida Valli) stands accused of murdering her wealthy, blind husband. ...