Movie:
The Verdict, originally released in 1982, was directed by Sidney Lumet and based on the book by Barry Reed. Starring in the film are: Paul Newman (Frank Galvin), Charlotte Rampling (Laura Fischer), Jack Warden (Mickey), James Mason (Edward Concannon), and Milo O' Shea (Judge Hoyle). The Verdict was also nominated for five academy awards, though came home empty handed.

Frank Galvin is an alcoholic ambulance-chasing lawyer who hasn't won a case in the three years after he was accused of jury tampering and, subsequently, lost his partnership and his wife. His friend and former associate, Mickey, hands him a medical malpractice case that is ripe for an out of court settlement. However, after reviewing the case, Frank is determined to take it to trial to get justice for his client and regain his self-respect.

The acting is, without a doubt, the highlight of The Verdict. Every main actor does a fantastic job, though the standout is certainly Newman. Even without speaking, Newman is able to convey the pathos of his character to a tee. However, The Verdict is not without some flaws. The film does go on a bit too long and the script is weak in certain respects, especially when dealing with Galvin's sudden change from ambulance chaser to a mostly principled attorney. The courtroom scenes were also a bit unrealistic and both lawyers and the judge make a few unethical decisions. Despite this, the film succeeds at portraying one man's quest for redemption and it does make some interesting points about our justice system.

Picture:
The Verdict is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. The transfer shows some wear throughout, with specks and grain visible. Several scenes also look murky and a few also have some artifacting. Colors are great with accurate flesh tones and dark blacks.

Sound:
The Verdict is presented in Dolby 2.0 Stereo in English and Dolby 2.0 Mono in English and French. The stereo and mono tracks are quite similar, as the film is almost entirely dialogue driven, though the stereo track does have some slight imaging. Dialogue is center channel based with no distortion or dropouts, though I did use the subtitles to make out a few muffled lines of speech. Optional subtitles are available in English and Spanish.

Extras:
The main extra on the disc is a screen-specific audio commentary with Lumet. The commentary also features a very brief appearance by Newman. Lumet shares quite a few stories from filming, talks about the screenplay, and the performances. Even though it has a few pauses, the commentary is certainly worth a listen. I was a little surprised Newman didn't participate more, however.

Next up is the original featurette for the film, which runs eight and a half minutes in length. Looking quite a bit worn, the featurette contains interviews with Newman, Mason, Reed, and the producers.

Also on the disc is an eight-item gallery of behind the scenes stills and trailers for this film, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Hombre, and Hustler.

Summary:
The Verdict is a one of the top courtroom dramas ever made, highlighted by a tremendous performance by Paul Newman. The DVD has an adequate presentation and a low MSRP, so those interested should certainly consider a purchase. Recommended.