Watch The Dock Brief

The Dock Brief, also known as Trial and Error, is a 1957 British comedy film directed by James Hill. The film is based on a play by John Mortimer and stars Michael Hordern as Herbert Fowle, a bumbling barrister, and David Kossoff as Morgenhall, a hapless criminal who seeks Herbert's services to defend him in court. The movie starts with Morgenhall, a meek and mild-mannered man, facing trial for the murder of his wife. He has already confessed to the crime and the evidence against him is overwhelming. However, Morgenhall is convinced that he can avoid the death penalty if he can find the right lawyer to defend him. He goes to Herbert Fowle's chambers hoping to hire him.

At first, Herbert is reluctant to take on the case as he has a reputation for losing. However, he is persuaded by Morgenhall's promise to pay him handsomely if he can successfully defend him. The rest of the movie follows the pair as they prepare for the trial.

The movie is essentially a two-hander, with most of the action taking place in Herbert's chambers. The comedy in the film comes from the contrast between Herbert's bumbling ineptitude and Morgenhall's earnest yet misguided attempts to help him. The two characters are perfect foils for each other, with Herbert's pomposity and Morgenhall's naivety playing off each other to great comic effect.

The Dock Brief is also a very dialogue-heavy film, with most of the humour coming from the clever wordplay and witty exchanges between the two leads. The script, by Mortimer himself, is sharp and funny, with some memorable lines and jokes.

As the trial approaches, the tension starts to build, and the movie takes on a more serious tone. Herbert becomes increasingly desperate to come up with a winning defence strategy while Morgenhall begins to realise the gravity of his situation. The film ends with a surprising twist that exposes the absurdity of the legal system and the flaws in the British justice system.

The performances in The Dock Brief are excellent, with both Hordern and Kossoff delivering nuanced and engaging performances. Hordern, in particular, is brilliant as the pompous and clueless barrister who is in way over his head. He manages to imbue Herbert with a certain charm and likeability despite his many flaws. Kossoff, on the other hand, does a great job of playing Morgenhall as a sympathetic and somewhat tragic figure.

The film is shot in black and white, and while the cinematography is nothing special, it does manage to capture the claustrophobic and intense atmosphere of Herbert's chambers. The music, by Antony Hopkins, is sparse but effective, with some haunting melodies that help to drive home the film's poignant message.

Overall, The Dock Brief is a well-crafted and entertaining comedy-drama that manages to pack in plenty of laughs, while also asking some important questions about the nature of justice and the legal system. With its clever script, strong performances, and surprising plot twists, it remains a classic of British cinema that is well worth a watch.