We are planning to collect some video movies for circulation and of
course we would like to emphasize films on law-related themes. Would
anyone be interested in sharing their personal favorites? There are
some good bibliographies out there but I would really like to get
input from the list as well, especially regarding recent releases
that are not covered in the bibliographies.
My personal favorite among recent films was My Cousin Vinny -- it was
nice to see that either the script writers were lawyers themselves,
or they followed their lawyer-consultant's advice carefully, because
it avoided most of the glaring mistakes that trial movies are usually
rife with. About the only real flaw my public defender friend and I
could spot was that they glossed over the assumption that the tire
tracks were made by the assailant's car -- assuming a fact not in
evidence. Not a bad mistake, considering that many lawyers might
choose for tactical reasons to let that slide anyway under those
particular circumstances. All that and Joe Pesci too!
A close second for me was A Few Good Men. Jack Nicholson's courtroom
tantrum alone was worth the price of admission!
BTW, did anyone see "Let Him Have It"? It was a British film about a
mentally retarded boy who was convicted as an accomplice in the
murder of a policeman because he told the killer to "let him have it"
-- meaning, his lawyers contended, let him have the gun. Magill's
said they reopened the case after the movie was released. I haven't
seen the film myself but it sounds like it could be a good one.
We look forward to hearing from you!
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James Quinn, Reference Librarian, Gonzaga University School of Law
james@gulaw.gonzaga.edu / (509) 484-2833 fax / (509) 484-6092 voice
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