The Dock Brief
Encyclopedia
The Dock Brief is a 1962 black-and-white British legal satire directed by James Hill
, starring Peter Sellers
and Richard Attenborough
, and based on the play of the same name written by John Mortimer
(creator of Horace Rumpole).
Richard Attenborough was nominated for the 1963 BAFTA Award for best British Actor for his role.
, is overjoyed to be assigned a dock brief: the defence of an accused murderer.
His client Herbert Fowle (Attenborough), is a meek man who wants to plead guilty to murdering his wife. Through a series of courtroom scenes and flashbacks the lead-up to the crime unfolds, involving Fowle taking in a lodger (David Lodge
), who takes a more-than-passing interest in Mrs. Fowle (Beryl Reid
). Morgenhall, given an opportunity to shine for the first time in his life, insists on pleading his client "not guilty."
But the case does not go as planned: Morgenhall botches the pleadings and Fowle is found guilty. As Morgenhall drowns his sorrows in a pub, he learns that the Home Office
has overruled the verdict: Fowle has been declared not guilty on the grounds that his defence was inadequate.
The film was released in the USA under the title "Trial and Error."
The New York Times: "Charming, comic...robustly amusing." (quoted from the DVD cover)
James Hill (British director)
James Hill was a British film and television director, screenwriter and producer whose career spanned 52 years between 1937–1989, best remembered for his documentaries and short subjects such as Giuseppina and The Home Made Car, and as director of the internationally acclaimed Born Free.Hill...
, starring Peter Sellers
Peter Sellers
Richard Henry Sellers, CBE , known as Peter Sellers, was a British comedian and actor. Perhaps best known as Chief Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther film series, he is also notable for playing three different characters in Dr...
and Richard Attenborough
Richard Attenborough
Richard Samuel Attenborough, Baron Attenborough , CBE is a British actor, director, producer and entrepreneur. As director and producer he won two Academy Awards for the 1982 film Gandhi...
, and based on the play of the same name written by John Mortimer
John Mortimer
Sir John Clifford Mortimer, CBE, QC was a British barrister, dramatist, screenwriter and author.-Early life:...
(creator of Horace Rumpole).
Richard Attenborough was nominated for the 1963 BAFTA Award for best British Actor for his role.
Plot
After 40 years of undistinguished practice Wilfred Morgenhall (Sellers), a cynical and unsuccessful barristerBarrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
, is overjoyed to be assigned a dock brief: the defence of an accused murderer.
His client Herbert Fowle (Attenborough), is a meek man who wants to plead guilty to murdering his wife. Through a series of courtroom scenes and flashbacks the lead-up to the crime unfolds, involving Fowle taking in a lodger (David Lodge
David Lodge (actor)
David William Frederick Lodge was a British character actor.Before turning to acting he worked as a circus clown...
), who takes a more-than-passing interest in Mrs. Fowle (Beryl Reid
Beryl Reid
Beryl Elizabeth Reid, OBE was a British actress of stage and screen.-Early life:Born in Hereford, England in 1919, Reid was the daughter of Scottish parents and grew up in Manchester where she attended Withington and Levenshulme High Schools.-Career:Reid applied for and was accepted in a revue in...
). Morgenhall, given an opportunity to shine for the first time in his life, insists on pleading his client "not guilty."
But the case does not go as planned: Morgenhall botches the pleadings and Fowle is found guilty. As Morgenhall drowns his sorrows in a pub, he learns that the Home Office
Home Office
The Home Office is the United Kingdom government department responsible for immigration control, security, and order. As such it is responsible for the police, UK Border Agency, and the Security Service . It is also in charge of government policy on security-related issues such as drugs,...
has overruled the verdict: Fowle has been declared not guilty on the grounds that his defence was inadequate.
The film was released in the USA under the title "Trial and Error."
Cast
- Peter SellersPeter SellersRichard Henry Sellers, CBE , known as Peter Sellers, was a British comedian and actor. Perhaps best known as Chief Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther film series, he is also notable for playing three different characters in Dr...
as Wilfred Morgenhall, Solicitor - Richard AttenboroughRichard AttenboroughRichard Samuel Attenborough, Baron Attenborough , CBE is a British actor, director, producer and entrepreneur. As director and producer he won two Academy Awards for the 1982 film Gandhi...
as Herbert Fowle, the Accused Murderer - Beryl ReidBeryl ReidBeryl Elizabeth Reid, OBE was a British actress of stage and screen.-Early life:Born in Hereford, England in 1919, Reid was the daughter of Scottish parents and grew up in Manchester where she attended Withington and Levenshulme High Schools.-Career:Reid applied for and was accepted in a revue in...
as Doris Fowle, his late wife - David LodgeDavid Lodge (actor)David William Frederick Lodge was a British character actor.Before turning to acting he worked as a circus clown...
as Frank Bateson, the Lodger - Frank PettingellFrank PettingellFrank Pettingell was an English actor.Pettingell was born in Liverpool, and educated at Manchester University...
as Tuppy Morgan, Solicitor - Audrey Nicholson as Morgenhall's Girl (In Flashback)
- Tristram Jellinek as Mr. Perkins, the Prosecutor
- Eric Woodburn as Judge Banter
- John Waite as Clerk of the Court
- Patrick NewellPatrick NewellPatrick David Newell was a British actor known for his large size. It is reputed he gained weight as a deliberate attempt to boost his career, marking him out for some niche roles...
as 1st Warder - Henry Kay as 2nd Warder
- Frank ThorntonFrank ThorntonFrank Thornton is an English actor who is best known for playing Captain Peacock in Are You Being Served? and its sequel Grace & Favour and as Truly in Last of the Summer Wine.-Early life:...
as Photographer at the Fowle Wedding - Eric DodsonEric DodsonEric Dodson was an English actor born in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. He appeared as bar owner Jack Pomeroy in Series Three to Five of Rumpole of the Bailey. He also appeared in the Doctor Who story The Visitation and many other roles.He died in 2000 at age 79.-External links:...
as Examiner
Quotes
Morgenhall: "Now you're the only case I've got, and the most difficult."The New York Times: "Charming, comic...robustly amusing." (quoted from the DVD cover)