WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION Theme Pictures, Inc. and Arthur Hornblow Productions, Inc. Pinal Script June 10, 1957 Screenplay by Billy wilder and Harry Kurnitz Producer: Arthur Hornblow, Jr. Director: Billy Wilder BSCan as 1 WETNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION COURTROOM NO. 1 - THE OLD BAILEY A mrder trial is about to begin. The venerable chamber of British justice 1s filled. The participants for the Prosecution and Defense are in their pleces. So is the jury. So are the spectators. Only the Prisoner's Dock and raised seats of the Judge and city dignitaries are still vacant. Three knocks from a wooden milet are heard. An usher rises and calls out, "SILENCE!" Everyone stands. A door opens and the Judiedal procession solemnly enters: the Sheriff, the City Marshal, the Mace-Bearer, the Sword-Beerer, the Lord Mayor, and finally, the Judge. All in full regalia. The usher beneath the witness box, delivers the opening proclamation: USHER, SILENCE! BE UPSTANDING IN COURT! ALL PERSONS WHO HAVE ANYTHING FURTHER TO DO BEFORE MY IORDS THE Een JUSTICES OF OYER AND ‘TERMINER AND GENERAL GAOL DELIVERY FOR THE. JURISDICTION oF THE GENERAL CRIMINAL COURT DRAW NEAR AND GIVE YOUR ATTENTION. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN! ‘The CAMERA hes begun to move in slowly on the bench, As the dignitaries take their pleces we superimpose the CREDIT TITIES. The Svord-Bearer affixes the Svord, point upmost, above the central chair. The Judge bows first to the Jury, then to the Ber, finslly to those with him on the Bench, He sits. Everybody follows suit. The trial has begun, Meanwhile, the CAMERA has moved in on the gleaming sword and holds there until the last of the Credits FADES OUT: FADE OUT:ee 2 3. 2. FADE IN: TONDON SqARE (DAY) A bobby, framed very Targe in the foreground, is Aivecting traffic. among the moving cars, quite conspicuous, is a vintage high-bodied Rolis Royce. INT. OF ROLLS-ROYCE (DAY) A vintage chauffeur is @riving. In the back seat are SIR WILFRID ROBARTS and his nurse, Migs PLIMSOLL, Sir Wilfrid 1s sixty, pale, i211 tempered. A lep robe is tucked around his legs. He has been quite ill. That accounts for the Beiformea nurse, Mise Plimsoll: she is forty- five, brisk, unbearebly chatty. yiss PLIMSOLL {looking out the window) What a beautiful dey! Itve been hoping thet we'd have a bit of sun for our home~ coming. I always say it's worth having all the fog just to appreciate the sunshine. Is there too much of @ draught? Shall I roll up the aindow? SIR WILFRID Just roll up your mouth. You talk too meh. If I'd known how mich you talked I would never haye come out of my coma. pushing gown the lap-robe) Tis thing weighs a ton. MISS PLIMSOLL Now, now -- weve been flat on our back for two months -- we'd better be careful! She has pulled up the robe and tries to tack him in agein. He slaps her hand. THE GATE OF LINCOLN's INN (DAY) the Porter at the gate recognizes the Rolls, salutes Sir Wilfrid and waves the car through.