Anatomy of a Murder (1959):

 

 

After Frederick Manion (Ben Gazzara) is charged with murdering a local bartender that he has claimed assaulted and raped his wife Laura (Lee Remick), small town lawyer Paul Biegler (James Stewart) takes the defence case. When the prosecution can find no evidence of Laura having being raped, Biegler discovers Manion's possessive nature and his wife's tendency to offer herself around.

Realising he doesn't have much of a case and the subsequent opportunity that the prosecution will have to twist the Manion's testimonies, Biegler faces his biggest challenge to date. In a case where everyone's motives are questioned, Biegler sends an assistant to search for the one witness who may hold the key to unlocking the case. James Stewart is excellent at portraying lawyer Biegler and his off-screen all-American persona lends well to his characterisation here.

Playing out in the style of a murder mystery as well as a courtroom drama, Anatomy of a Murder is a suspenseful look at the institute of marriage and the lengths at which people will go to preserve it.