Product Details

• Actors: Henry Fonda, John Houseman
• Directors: John Rich
• Writers: David W. Rintels
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Kultur Video
• DVD Release Date: January 31, 2006
• Run Time: 81 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000CQQIUI
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #31,602 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #63 in

  Movies & TV > Classics > Classic Stars > Fonda, Henry

• For more information about "Henry Fonda's Clarence Darrow" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In a rarely seen filmed version of his acclaimed one man show, Henry Fonda stars as controversial lawyer Clarence Darrow. The great actor is brilliantly showcased in a drama that follows Darrow's reflections on his life, his passions, his personal disappointments, and his professional triumphs. As attorney for some notorious defendants, including Darwinist John T. Scopes and thrill killers Leopold and Loeb, Darrow was one of the most courageous defenders of justice in American history. CLARENCE DARROW probes deeper than his famous résumé by discovering the origins which drove the man in his work. Fonda's dazzling monologue, adapted from Irving Stone's biography Clarence Darrow for the Defense, begins with the lawyer's childhood, then enters into a moving description of Darrow's support for the troubled labor movement of the early 20th century. The drama continues by re-enacting some of Darrow's impassioned pleas to the juries of his most renowned court cases. Fonda brings Darrow to life, emotionally and physically, by achieving a fine balance between personal introspection and courtroom theatrics. Critical Acclaim: "Henry Fonda is an irresistible actor, a great charmer and subtle technician whose unruffled effortlessness it is my keenest joy to watch." - John Simon, New York Magazine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars HENRY FONDA'S ONE-MAN PLAY AS CLARENCE DARROW, December 28, 2009

By	Michael S. Beslow "mickey beslow" (deerfield, il) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

Henry Fonda was at the top of his game when he did these one man shows in the 1970s & Clarence Darrow became a personal hero of mine when I read Irving Stone's CLARENCE DARROW FOR THE DEFENSE when I was 11 or 12. I was fortunate to see two performances, one in Los Angeles and the other in Chicago. I marveled at how precise Fonda was from performance to performance, a true artist at the height of his career. HERE we are lucky enough to be able to re experience this treasure over and over.

Clarence Darrow came to Chicago from a tiny town in Ohio from two very unusual parents. His father was constantlyCLARENCE DARROW For The DEFENSE busy with the underground railroad and would take young Clarence along as much as he could. Clarence's mother was a free thinker who was an early advocate for birth control and women' rights (WE'RE TALKING 1840s-1860!!).

Clarence started off in Chicago representing big business, but before he knew it , he became a labor lawyer, always taking the impossible cases and as he got older his choices towards more notorious cases such as "The Scopes Monkey Trial" in which he defended the teaching of evolution and "The trial of Leopold & Loeb" who killed little Bobby Franks for the thrill of it, Darrow tried to a judge to try to spare their lives.

The junction of two lives, Fonda whose greatest roles were Tom Joad, Young Abe Lincoln, Mister Roberts, the president in FAIL SAFE, the head juror in 12 ANGRY MEN and Clarence Darrow who always took on the hardst fight is a match worth seeing and adding to your DVD collection.Henry Fonda's Clarence DarrowHenry Fonda's Clarence Darrow

5.0 out of 5 stars A real treasure, October 31, 2009

By	F. Rohde "F.K. Rohde" (Searcy, AR) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

Humor and drama have never been so well combined in any production than "Clarence Darrow". This stage production is superbly performed by Henry Fonda, and is captivating from the beginning to the end.

3 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great actor portrays a great lawyer..., September 20, 2006

By	William E. Adams (Midland, Texas USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

in this one-man show which was broadcast on TV more than 34 years ago. I liked it then, and I wouldn't mind seeing it again at all, but I think the price for this item is way out of my budget for a DVD that I would not watch more than once every few years. I saw Henry Fonda on Broadway in a forgettable comedy a few years earlier than this venture, and he was as impressive on a stage as he was on film. But you can buy two or three of his best film performances for the price of this item. As for Clarence Darrow, he was a fascinating man, but reading a biography would teach you more than this one script can.