Gideon' s Trumpet

The remarkable true story of how a humble Florida convict changed the course of American legal history (resulting in the right for all to legal counsel in a criminal trial) is dramatized in this superbly acted Peabody Award-winning made-for-TV production based on the book by Pulitzer Prize-winner Anthony Lewis. Henry Fonda, in one of his last films, is at the top of his game playing against type as Clarence Gideon, a stoop-shouldered, beaten-down man convicted of petty larceny in 1961 without any legal representation. While in prison, Gideon researches the law and then successfully petitions the Supreme Court to hear an appeal that his rights were denied under the 14th Amendment's due process clause. The distinguished supporting cast includes John Houseman as Chief Justice Earl Warren, Jose Ferrer as future Supreme Court Justice Abe Fortas (who defends Gideon), and—in her last film—Fay Wray (King Kong) as Gideon's sympathetic landlady. Told with an admirable lack of sentiment, director Robert Collins' low-key film is a moving story that also effectively explains the legal issues of this momentous case. My verdict: highly recommended. (D. Liebenson)