Gideon's Trumpet (film)
A film about the landmark right-to-counsel case.
Gideon's Trumpet is a 1980 American made-for-television historical drama film that premiered on CBS-TV as a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation. It depicts the events leading to the 1963 Supreme Court case Gideon v. Wainwright, which established the right to counsel for criminal defendants unable to afford an attorney. The film stars Henry Fonda as Clarence Earl Gideon, with José Ferrer and John Houseman in supporting roles.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Historical drama
- Based on
- Gideon's Trumpet by Anthony Lewis
- Writer
- David W. Rintels
- Director
- Robert L. Collins
- Starring
- Henry Fonda
- José Ferrer
- John Houseman
- Fay Wray
- Sam Jaffe
- Dean Jagger
- Nicholas Pryor
- Music
- Joseph Weiss
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
Facts from the source article.
Plot
The film opens with Clarence Earl Gideon addressing the camera, stating he will try to give a full account of his situation. The scene shifts to a bar in Panama City, Florida, in summer 1961, where a pool room has been broken into and money stolen. Gideon is arrested after being seen using a nearby payphone that night. At his trial, he requests a defense attorney because he cannot afford one, but Judge Robert McCrary refuses. Gideon represents himself, is convicted, and sentenced to five years in state prison. In prison, he researches law in the library, gaining support from fellow inmates. He writes a writ of certiorari petition to the Supreme Court. The justices debate whether they can argue for a right to an attorney for everyone regardless of special qualifications. They accept the case. Abe Fortas asks Gideon for a biography to check for special circumstances, finding none. Fortas wins the case, allowing Gideon a retrial with an attorney. Gideon is disappointed by the retrial, but is assigned Fred Turner as counsel. Gideon argues the retrial is unconstitutional double jeopardy, but the judge rules against him and allows it to proceed.
Historical background
Before Gideon v. Wainwright, a history of cases related to the right of counsel existed in United States criminal procedure. The case occurred during a political shift regarding federal government control, reflected by the Warren Court. The film does not name the Chief Justice, who was Earl Warren. The case has drawn differing scholarly opinions on its implementation. In the United States, measures have been taken to apply the ruling to state and federal laws. Globally, the case influenced policies on the right to counsel, though qualifications still vary by country.
Production
Prison scenes were filmed at the Men's Correctional Facility in Chino, California, using actual inmates as extras. Director Robert Collins noted the difficulty of filming with inmates, saying that after four takes the prisoners became unhappy. Collins deliberately made prison scenes more harsh than court scenes to create contrast. Henry Fonda commented that playing Clarence Gideon was fascinating, as he had not usually played similar roles.
Reception
On the day of the premiere, The New York Times published an article by John J. O'Connor praising the adaptation for making complex legal arguments absorbing. The American Bar Association Journal had earlier highlighted producer David W. Rintels, noting he had won three Gavel Awards from the American Bar Association for his television productions. David Cornelius of DVD Talk wrote that nearly three decades after its broadcast, the film remains a triumph of televised storytelling. Variety reviewed the show in May 1980, summarizing it as implicitly offering a sharp indictment of the Burger Court's retreat from decisions like Gideon that marked the Warren Court as a defender of individual rights.
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