Customer Reviews

The Jury

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

What a powerful piece of drama! Incredible, powerhouse acting and brilliant writing--loaded with subtext. It's impossible to speak too highly of this 6-episode dramatic mini-series.

This story focuses on seven of the jurors chosen to serve on an especially grisly murder trial (a Sikh teenager is accused of slaying a classmate with a ceremonial sword). These jurors are a mix of people, some are eager to serve (a woman in an emotionally stifling marriage; a single mom who is estranged from her mother, but who must ask her mother to care for her daughter while she serves on the jury; a lonely older woman with inoperable cancer; a married man whose powerful sense of civic duty is more than matched by a nagging sense of underachievement); some are reluctant (a seminary student who is unsure whether he wants to continue on his path to the priesthood; a recovering alcoholic just out of rehab; a married man who lost all his family's savings due to a bad business venture he was talked). The story, like the trial it revolves around, is a study of mixed motives, changes of heart, and living with fear. In the process of revealing each characters personal daily struggles we discover just how much of the human experience is comprised of learning to endure and deal with violence. In this drama we see the defendant and witnesses badgered by clever lawyers, friends manipulated by friends, and boundary-violating in-laws prying confidential information out of their son-in-law who is serving as a juror. Even the alcoholic's AA sponsor has a touch of the autocrat about him. And the young woman who has fled to jury duty as a way of creating an adventure for herself ends up using her womanly charms to manipulate a man into falling in love with her (even though she is fully aware that she is not free or capable of taking on a romantic relationship with him). I defy anyone to watch this compelling drama without questioning their own propensity to abuse power. We are all capable of being bullies. It's just a matter of circumstances and opportunity.

Has anyone mentioned the music score for this? From the first shot of
the courthouse dome, melancholy music perfectly sets the mood for what
will come.

The Eastern (or Indian) theme and the drum at the beginning credits is
haunting. During the seminary scenes, the mens choral is lovely.

Throughout a woman hums a beautiful, sad melody, through certain
transition scenes and always at the opening of a new chapter. Whenever
juror, Johnny Donne, is alone this theme emphasizes his loneliness and
breaks your heart. A number of times we see Johnny arriving home and
walking down a long corridor and opening his door, with this lonely
theme playing. His AA prayer also has the music softly in the
background.

During the Rose characters arrival back home each time, we see her
getting off the elevator and walking into a blinding white light - to
give us a jolt of the searing effort to walk back into that house of
pain. The orchestra with an oboe(?) featured makes one want to cry.

During the foreman of the juries final scenes of frenzy in the tunnel
the Indian song is just perfect - the wail and lament of a man driven
to distraction.

And as the jurors all walk down the hill after the burial, the same
woman humming the theme music makes for a melancholy finale.

For the performances, the great cinematography, and wonderful music
themes, this a rare series from television that is as great as a movie.
Gerald Butler as Johnny is a standout - so intense at times you quit
breathing. I've forgotten the name of the actor who plays the Foreman
of the jury, but he is also outstanding. The whole cast is superb.

A real jewel for anyones collection. 9/10

I purchased "The Jury" because I was totally captivated with Gerard Butler's stellar performance in "The Phantom of the Opera" and I wanted to see more of his work. "The Jury" is an excellent story and the actors are outstanding! Throughout, the suspense kept me at the edge of my seat. You literally take an "emotional roller-coaster" with the introspection of the lives of the various jurists. You can identify with their life situations as they face their hopes and fears, problems and disappointments, expectations, joys, and anger. All the while, a young boy's life hangs in the balance as they struggle amongst themselves to determine his fate. "The Jury" is thoroughly entertaining and I highly recommend it. Those of you who are Gerard Butler fans will not be disappointed because he delivers a superb performance in his portrayal of recovering alcoholic, Johnnie Donne.

I purchased this DVD, The Jury, due to Gerald Butler playing one of the roles. However, once I started watching it I could not pull myself away. Each character was believable and the story line kept you glued to the movie until the end. It makes you understand that everyone has a story. Of course my favorite character was the one Gerald Butler played, and he played it with such soul and passion, that you could not help feeling his pain. Thanks to Mr. Butler I am discovering many wonderful foreign films that make most of ours look pitiful.

I must admit that I was drawn to this mini series because of Gerard Butler (the Phantom in the Phantom of the Opera) and he did not disappoint! In fact, all of the actors are superb and the story so well written. It keeps you wondering to the bitter end as to whether or not the jury made the correct decision. I watched the last 4 episodes in one evening and then watched episode 6 again the next day.

If you love contemporary british drama then don't miss the Jury!

Everyone is agreed, I think, that the Brits put out great drama. This is no exception. THE JURY is a very interesting ensemble piece - almost a soaper - interweaving the lives of seven of the twelve members of a present-day jury that is hearing a teenage murder case in London's Old Bailey courthouse. Antony Sher (Shakespeare In Love), as coldly calculating and always smiling Prosecuting Attorney Gerald Lewis, is exceptionally riveting. Derek Jacobi (I, Claudius, Gladiator, Gosford Park) gives a warmer, more humane, and often witty performance as Attorney for the Defense, George Cording. Michael Maloney (The Last Place On Earth, Henry V), as high-strung jury foreman Peter Segal, delivers one of the more interesting performances, trying to fend off his ever interfering father-in-law, who is determined to solve the case and influence Peter's vote. Helen McCrory (Anna Karenina, Lucky Jim) as Rose Davies, a woman who is doing jury duty in order to escape a dull and smothering marriage, is also quite interesting, changing her clothes and makeup at the courthouse each day to become a different person from the one she is at home.

But the real standout is Gerard Butler (Beowulf And Grendel, Phantom Of The Opera, Dear Frankie) as Johnnie Donne, a recovering alcoholic who has just gotten out of rehab and is unsure if he can emotionally handle a high-profile court case. Halfway through the trial, he finds himself falling in love with Rose, whom he doesn't realize is married, and being punished for it physically by her husband. Things go from bad to worse when Johnnie discovers that Rose is married. But he rises to the occasion in the jury room to convince one of his fellow jurors to cast the deciding vote in the trial. Butler does an exceptional job selling his character and fulfilling all promises in his more emotionally charged scenes. He did this coming off Attila, in which he played the title role - a 180-degree different type character from Johnnie - and one in which he also excelled. Butler was helped in the role of Johnnie by having struggled with alcoholism in his own life, which he readily is willing to discuss.

Some viewers may be disappointed by the visual blandness of THE JURY. It does not hold your attention in that regard. As a matter of fact, I was very disappointed when I first saw it, having become used to such visually stunning British dramas as Horatio Hornblower and Pride And Prejudice. However, what it lacks visually, it pretty much makes up for dramatically. I think I was first pulled into the story by the discussion over the blood-drenched shirt of the defendant versus his red school tie. Which was it that the crossing attendant (the "lollypop man") saw? The filmmakers, and the lawyers, handled that question masterfully, and had my respect from that point on.

You won't be disappointed. This is a very good series, and, as I said, Gerard Butler is excellent.

Waitsel Smith

This is a 3 DVD set- 6 episodes- I thought I'll watch 2 tonite, 2 tomorrow, etc. Nope- once you start it is difficult to stop- There is the basic underlying story of the crime, then the perception through the eyes of the various jury members, what they bring to their ultimate decision.. I usually love BBC productions and this one is no exception.. All the actors give terrific performances, albeit my favorite was Gerry Butler- what a diverse career he has embarked on- Attila, Dracula, Phantom,etc. Now Johhny is one of my favorites. Looking forward to Dear Frankie, Game of Their Lives , Beowulf, and Burns..

I bought The Jury last May (2005) before I got to see it after much hemming and hawing. I was kind of worried how good the story was, but I was pleased to see that it was worth buying. I couldn't stop watching it once I started. It's very engaging and addictive. I felt I had to know how it ended from the start. After the end of the fourth episode I cried so much every time Gerard Butler was on the screen. I couldn't look at him after that without crying. Needless to say, I was so happy at the end for his character. (I don't want to give anything away.) I totally recommend buying it to anyone who is on the fence about it...it's totally worth seeing. Gerard's fans are always hoping, I think, to see him get the chance to portray a character with substance, and this series is one of those times. It is a well written story, even if Gerard wasn't in it, but Gerard does a fantastic job in it. :)

Most of us are familiar with the British court room drama and with the jury deliberation movie. This DVD mixes both genres successfully and the story it tells of racism and culture clash is tense and engrossing. An added bonus is the "behind the scenes" look at the lives of the jurors and their reactions during the trial, the deliberation, and after.

The acting is excellent with wonderful Brits doing their usually Masterpiece Theater best. One standout is Gerard Butler as Johnny Donne - a recovering alcoholic who is the heart of the jury. Johnny's emotional turmoil is brought to painful life by Butler's naturalistic acting.

My only quibble with the DVD is that with the variety of accents speaking English, there are NO subtitles and they might have helped in some areas. (If it had subtitles, it would get 5 stars.)

Gerard Butler fans will love this movie as his character is brilliantly featured and very well done.

I first watched this mini-series on PBS while at university. Around the second episode, I had gotten the entire dorm hall watching. The performances are so striking that even those who only wanted to watch basketball became engrossed in the storyline.

Three years after 'The Jury' I still find something related to the series. For instance, the recent story of two jury members from the Michael Jackson trial coming forward to speak about their doubts. Whereas in these series, one of the jurors found herself censured from speaking with her own family regarding the matter.

This is no Court TV show, however. There is plenty of ambiguity and doubt. The barristers do their very best to convince the jurors (and the audience) which side is correct. The evidence can point either way, and the behaviour of the jurors can threaten the trial. None of this would work if it weren't for the actors, who excel in making jury duty the most exciting and harrowing experience an ordinary person may face. All the issues discussed and portrayed in the series are not topical, they are the same individuals in society face everyday: racism, bullying, abuse, alcoholism.

This was also the first series that allowed me to finally pinpoint the 'nameless' actors I had seen elsewhere. Sir Derek Jacobi, Kate Fahy, and Antony Sher to name a few. Sonnell Dadral was believable as the scared main suspect, and definitely someone to watch (someone give him a bigger part than in a few lines of 'White Teeth'!). And I agree with the many reviewers that Gerard Butler was the breakout actor in the series. Thanks to 'The Jury', I became a life-long Gerry fan. His performance is what will break your heart.

I would highly recommend this series to those who enjoy a good dramatic mystery that will keep you thinking long after the credits have rolled.