Hostile Witness


Hostile Witness is a 1968 British courtroom-based drama film based on a play by Jack Roffey, directed by Ray Milland and starring Milland, Sylvia Syms, Raymond Huntley and Julian Holloway.

Plot

A distinguished barrister finds himself on the wrong side of the law when accused of the murder of the motorist who killed his daughter.

Cast

The play debuted in 1964 starring Michael Denison and transferred to the West End.
Jay Julien bought the rights to take the play to America. In 1965 Ray Milland agreed to appear in the play in New York. It was Milland's first theatrical appearance in a number of years apart from appearing in a road version of My Fair Lady. The New York Times called it "serviceable". The show at a capitalisation of $125,000 and ended on July 2 after 157 performances. Milland then took the play on tour. The Los Angeles Times called the production "absorbing, completely satisfactory, and wholly successful thriller."
In March 1967 it was announced that Milland would star in and direct a film version for Edward Small and United Artists. Shooting started in London in July 1967 with David Rose producing.

Critical reception

DVD Talk wrote, "It's not terrible and has its moments, but Billy Wilder's Witness for the Prosecution or your average episode of Rumpole of the Bailey is a lot more fun."