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Gideon's Trumpet
🎬 Movie

Gideon's Trumpet

1980 · 104 min Drama Crime History TV Movie
6.0 / 10 · TMDB

True story of Clarence Gideon's fight to be appointed counsel at the expense of the state. This landmark case led to the Supreme Court's decision which extended this right to all criminal defendants.

📺 Where to Watch

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🎬 MovieFinder's Take

The film constructs its compelling narrative not around courtroom theatrics, but around quiet, human resilience. It relies on Henry Fonda's masterful performance to turn a legal procedure into a deeply personal story about dignity.

What lingers after the credits is a profound respect for the incremental machinery of justice and the power of a single, steadfast voice to move it. — MovieFinder Editorial

Director: Robert L. Collins

🕯️

Best Watched

For attentive viewing in a quiet setting, to fully absorb the nuanced storytelling.

🎭 Cast

Henry Fonda

Henry Fonda

Clarence Earl Gideon

José Ferrer

José Ferrer

Abe Fortas

John Houseman

John Houseman

Chief Justice / Offscreen Narrator

Fay Wray

Fay Wray

Edna Curtis

Dean Jagger

Dean Jagger

6th Supreme Court Justice

Sam Jaffe

Sam Jaffe

1st Supreme Court Justice

Nicholas Pryor

Nicholas Pryor

Jacob

William Prince

William Prince

5th Supreme Court Justice

Lane Smith

Lane Smith

Fred Turner

Richard McKenzie

Richard McKenzie

Judge Robert McCrary

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💬 Audience Reviews

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