Witness for the Prosecution poster

Witness for the Prosecution Quotes

"The most electrifying entertainment of our time!"

NR 1957 · 1h 56m
82
Audience
82
Audience
12 quotes
Questioning the Integrity of a Witness
Sir Wilfrid Robarts My Lord, may I also remind my learned friend that his witness, by her own admission, has already violated so many oaths that I am surprised the Testament did not LEAP FROM HER HAND when she was sworn here today! I doubt if anything is to be gained by questioning you any further! That will be all, Frau Helm!
Reminder of Forgotten Brandy
Miss Plimsoll Sir Wilfrid, you've forgotten your brandy!
[last lines; hands Sir Wilfrid his thermos bottle]
A Lawyer's Unfortunate Fate
Miss Plimsoll I almost married a lawyer once. I was in attendance when he had his appendectomy, and we became engaged as soon as he could sit up... and then peritonitis set in and he went just like that!
Sir Wilfrid He certainly was a lucky lawyer.
Cocoa and Brandy: A Playful Exchange
Sir Wilfrid I'd better take that thermos of cocoa with me. It helps me wash down down the pills.
Miss Plimsoll Let me see. My learned patient is not above substituting brandy for cocoa. Sniff, sniff. It is cocoa. So sorry.
[opens thermos and smells]
Sir Wilfrid If you were a woman, Miss Plimsoll, I would strike you.
A Lighthearted Exchange About Matches
Sir Wilfrid Give me a match.
Leonard Vole Sorry, I never carried them.
Sir Wilfrid What? You said I'd like him.
[to Mayhew]
Leonard Vole But I do have a lighter.
Sir Wilfird You're quite right, Mayhew. I do like him.
Justice and Misunderstandings in England
Leonard Vole But this is England, where I thought you never arrest, let alone convict, people for crimes they have not committed.
Sir Wilfrid We try not to make a habit of it.
Surprising Hat-Related Murders Commentary
Sir Wilfrid Robarts I am constantly surprised that women's hats do not provoke more murders.
Hearing Aid Delay and Judicial Commentary
Janet Mackensie Perhaps you can help me, your Lordship. Six months, I have applied for my hearing aid and I am still waiting for it.
Judge My dear Miss Mackenzie. Considering the rubbish that is being talked nowadays, you are missing very little.
A Discourse on Silence and Conversation
Miss Plimsoll Shall we roll up the window, Sir Wilfrid?
Sir Wilfrid Just roll up your mouth, you talk too much. If I'd known how much you talk I'd never have come out of my coma.
Identity and Deception in Marriage
Sir Wilfrid Mrs Vole. Or Mrs Helm; which do you prefer to be called?
Christine Helm It does not matter.
Sir Wilfrid Does it not? In this country, we are inclined to take a rather more serious view of marriage. However, Frau Helm, it would appear that when you first met the prisoner in Hamburg, you lied to him about your marital status?
Christine Helm I wanted to get out of Germany, so—
Sir Wilfrid You lied, did you not? Just yes or no, please.
Christine Helm Yes.
Sir Wilfrid Thank you. And subsequently, in arranging the marriage, you lied to the authorities?
Christine Helm I, um, did not tell the truth to the authorities.
Sir Wilfrid You lied to them?
Christine Helm Yes.
Sir Wilfrid And in the ceremony of marriage itself, when you swore to love and to honor and to cherish your husband, that, too, was a lie?
Christine Helm Yes.
Sir Wilfrid And when the police questioned you about this wretched man who believed himself married and loved, you told them—
Christine Helm I told them what Leonard wanted me to say.
Sir Wilfrid You told them that he was at home with you at 25 minutes past 9, and now you say that that was a lie?
[''beginning to chuckle now'']
Christine Helm Yes, a lie!
Sir Wilfrid And when you said that he had accidentally cut his wrist, again, you lied?
[''chuckling again'']
Christine Helm Yes!
Sir Wilfrid And now today you've told us a new story entirely! The question is, Frau Helm, were you lying then, are you lying now, or are you not in fact a chronic and habitual LIAR?!
[''chuckling further''; ''serious now'']
A Playful Exchange Over an Accordion
Leonard Vole What are you looking for?
Christine Vole My accordion.
Leonard Vole I think I've found it.
[stepping on it]
Christine Vole Step on it again. It's still breathing.
Confidence in the Face of Drama
Sir Wilfrid Be prepared for hysterics and even a fainting spell. Better have smelling salts handy and a nip of brandy.
Christine Vole I do not think that will be necessary. I never faint because I am not sure that I will fall gracefully and I never use smelling salts because they puff up the eyes. I am Christine Vole.