For his exceptional debut feature film, Lumet adapts Reginald Rose’s teleplay into a claustrophobic treatise on bias and the justice system. In a sweaty deliberation room, 12 men consider the life or death fate of a teenager accused of murder. Eager to get on with their days, 11 men quickly vote guilty, but Juror #8 (Henry Fonda) is the lone hold out, doubtful of the evidence presented at trial. Over the course of several hours, as the men sweat and argue, their biases, prejudices, and doubt seep to the surface. Academy Award-nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay, and with a stacked ensemble cast including Lee J. Cobb, Martin Balsam, and Jack Warden, 12 ANGRY MEN is a controlled exploration of truth and integrity that introduced audiences to Lumet’s remarkable talent for capturing the complexities of human behavior with honesty and depth.