THE LAWYER is loosely based on the case of Ohio doctor Sam Sheppard who was convicted of murdering his wife, but later won a new trial and an acquittal after the US Supreme Court ruled that publicity had prejudiced the jury during the first trial. F. Lee Bailey came to national prominence
as Sheppard's defender and here Barry Newman plays a rather unortodox attorney hired to defend an accused murderer. The film re-creates several possible scenarios surrounding the murder of Colbert's wife, and Newman battles district attorney Gould in an effort to prove his client's innocence.
Newman is convincing as the creative attorney, Muldaur does a nice turn as his supportive...
Released:
1969
Rated:
R
Length:
117 mins