Twelve Angry Men

By: Reginald Rose

Narrated by: Dan Castellaneta, Hector Elizondo, Armin Shimerman

Length: 1 hr and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Over the course of a steamy and tense afternoon, 12 jurors deliberate the fate of a 19-year-old boy alleged to have murdered his own father. A seemingly open and shut case turns complicated, igniting passions and hidden prejudices.

This audio also includes an interview with Reginald Rose's widow, Ellen, in which she talks about how her late husband came to write the original teleplay version of Twelve Angry Men.

©1984 Reginald Rose (P)2005 L.A. Theatre Works

Critic reviews

• Audie Award Finalist, Audio Drama, 2007
• Audie Award Finalist, Audiobook Adapted from Another Medium, 2007

"This tidy portrait of clashing social attitudes in a jury room definitely creaks with age. But somehow the creaks begin to sound like soothing music, a siren song from a period of American drama when personalities were drawn in clean lines, the moral was unmistakable, and the elements of a plot clicked together like a jigsaw puzzle without a single missing piece." (The New York Times)

DRAMATIZED AND EXCELLENT !!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a short dramatized program, I purchased this offering earlier this morning, and have listened to most of this with my wife; who does not often listen to this type of program, and we BOTH loved it. I have recommended this to friends via email, and will be purchasing as a gift for family later this date.

What did you like best about this story?

Dramatized very well. Excellent exchanges between members on jury. Very well acted.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

This Dramatized presentation is excellent, Makes it easy to close your eyes and become a member of the jury, present in the same room. Very interesting how I can become a part of the experience with this format.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

This presentation clearly highlights, How One person can make a significant difference. How most of us are so involved in our own experiences that we take very little time to truly consider the status of others. Moral: We need each other, and thank God for those who stand against the majority and raise a hand to promote discussion and interaction.

Any additional comments?

Thanks to AUDIBLE !!

A Work of Art

I'm a civil trial attorney. Every once in a while, I am privileged to get to help select a dozen complete strangers who are going to decide one of my cases. It's the most challenging thing I do, and sometimes quite scary. Once, I was lucky enough to serve as a juror on a criminal case.

Reginald Rose's "Twelve Angry Men" (1954, CBS teleplay; 1957, film; etc.; 2007, LA Theatre Works; etc.) comes the closest to the feel of serving on a jury. "Twelve Angry Men" is only about 90 minutes and compresses what would take place over hours or even days for a jury that's deliberating. Rose makes a reason some of the jurors need to done and go elsewhere and it makes things faster. The claustrophobia of a rainstorm; the insight of a naturalized citizen; the bigotry of a man with always diminished horizons; and the despair of a failed father combine to a compelling play.

Rose shows that the most important part of the American judicial system isn't law enforcement, no matter how strong willed the police chief (think LAPD Chief Charlie Beck); how progressive the policing (the NYPD starts, tries and discards trends like "zero tolerance" before the rest of the country even hears about them); no matter how seemingly omniscient and omnipotent (the FBI). It's not 'The Nine', the group of (presumably) brilliant and carefully reasoned lawyers hand picked by the president and confirmed by the senate to decide the most important cases in the country. The Jury - an ephemeral group of 12 people whose only qualifications are that each is a United States citizen, 18 or older, and not a felon - is the foundation for the legal system, and for American democracy as a whole.

This Audible edition is the 2007 LATW version, with prolific and often comedic actors/voice artists Dan Castellaneta, Hector Elizondo (as usual), and Richard Kind in serious roles. LATW productions are always first class, and "Twelve Angry Men" doesn't disappoint.

There's an Easter egg at the end: an interview of Rose's widow, Ellen McLaughlin Rose.

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I enjoyed this drama!

That was interesting and fun. The lessons are as valid today as they were when the script was first written by Reginald Rose.

Love this audio play

Any additional comments?

Twelve angry men is one of my favorite movies of all time so when I saw the audio play on here I just had to have it. And it was fantastic.

Enjoyable

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, they did such a nice job with the pacing and the characters were well acted. Usually I prefer a narration and not an acting, but this one was extremely well done.

Wow - just Wow

This is one of my all time favorite movies, Henry Fonda can't be beat in the movie version so when this popped up, I thought I would give it a shot but didn't think it would even come close. I LOVED this version, even tho we have seen the movie numerous times, this book sucked us in and didn't let go until it was over. Amazing performance, fabulous story.

Great listen!

Have you listened to any of the narrators’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I liked that this was a recording of a live play so I could hear its authenticity. Perfect way to listen to it!

Wonderful Audio Play

I really enjoyed this. My only complaint is that it didn't last longer! What a great departure from the ordinary audiobook = this is a "live" (before an audience) play reenacting the classic story. I have never seen the original movie or play, so although I knew the basic story the dialogue and characters were new to me. But I will listen to this one again, it's a lot of fun.

Relevant during this election

Wow! I'm so glad I listened to this! I don't think I've ever seen the movie ( I will now), but I had heard about it. I had no idea it would be so timely, having been written in the 50's. Listen to it and you will hear the current political tone. So glad I purchased this.

TERRIFIC PERFORMANCE ! I loved every minute

Where does Twelve Angry Men rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

in the top

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

each narrator brings a specific personality to his caracter that is a must in this story

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

definately - and I listented to it twice - it was so good

Any additional comments?

highly entertaining for someone that appreciates American English