The classic 1962 Orson Welles' film version of Kafka's The Trial was remade in 1993; the difference between these two productions is mostly a matter of style. The 1993 film is much glossier, more expensive, and more visually detailed; but it lacks the remarkable artistic flair of its 1962 predecessor, which is the preferred film. Both are nonetheless of strong interest to … [Read more...]
The Story of Qiu Ju (1991)
The wife of a man beaten by a local official struggles against the system to get an apology. [ The Story of Qiu Ju credits: Dir: Zhang Yimou/ Gong Li, Lei Lao Sheng, Liu Pei Qi/ 100 min/ Drama, Foreign Language/ China/ In Mandarin with English subtitles/ Law & Liberty, Resistance to Tyranny] “A terrific example of the irrelevance and inefficiency of the machinery of … [Read more...]
Nuts (1987)
An eccentric woman accused of manslaughter must prove her competency to stand trial, or she will be forced without trial to accept years of psychiatric treatment. [ Nuts credits: Dir: Martin Ritt/ Barbra Streisand, Richard Dreyfuss, Maureen Stapleton/ 116 min/ Drama/ Psychiatry & Force] Barbra Streisand must really have liked the play on which this film was based … [Read more...]
The Winslow Boy (1948)
When a young cadet is accused of theft and expelled from a government Naval Academy, one of England’s great barristers fights for his right to a fair trial. Based on a true story. [ The Winslow Boy credits: Dir: Anthony Asquith/ Robert Donat, Margaret Leighton, Cedric Hardwicke/ 117 min/ Drama/ Law & Liberty] “The script, based on the Terence Rattigan play of the same … [Read more...]
Courageous Mr. Penn (1942)
Biographical account of the life of William Penn. [ Courageous Mr. Penn credits: Dir: Lance Comfort/ Clifford Evans, Deborah Kerr, Dennis Arundell/ 88 min/ Biography, Drama/ Britain/ Freedom of Speech, Libertarian Heroes, Law & the Individual] No trailer available. “This is an appealing portrayal of a great friend of liberty.” William Penn was an early libertarian hero, … [Read more...]
Texas Teenager Faces 99 Years Over Pot Brownies
Nineteen-year-old Jacob Lavaro faces a possible life sentence for making and selling marijuana brownies. [1 min/ Legalize drugs, Law & the individual] UPDATE: "The Austin American-Statesman reports that Jacob Lavoro, the Texas teenager who originally faced a sentence of 10 years to life after he was caught with a pound and a half of hash-infused cookies … [Read more...]
The Government’s War on Cameras
Police routinely arrest citizens for filming in public places, but do they have a right to? [8 min/ Freedom of speech, Law & the individual] … [Read more...]