Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
Kernel Score: 86% · 1,128 ratings · Rated NR
Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Released: 1959-07-01
Runtime: 161 minutes
Where to watch Anatomy of a Murder
- Stream: Prime Video
- Free with ads: Fawesome, The Roku Channel
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Semi-retired Michigan lawyer Paul Biegler takes the case of Army Lt. Manion, who murdered a local innkeeper after his wife claimed that he raped her. Over the course of an extensive trial, Biegler parries with District Attorney Lodwick and out-of-town prosecutor Claude Dancer to set his client free, but his case rests on the victim's mysterious business partner, who's hiding a dark secret.
Anatomy of a Murder parents' guide: ages 12+
Parents need to know that Anatomy of a Murder is a classic courtroom drama dealing with rape and murder allegations.
- Violence & scariness: Some — Centers on a murder trial with discussion of the killing, though largely non-graphic given the courtroom drama format.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Some — Plot involves an alleged rape and adultery, discussed frankly for a 1959 film but not shown explicitly.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official NR rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Anatomy of a Murder
If you liked Anatomy of a Murder, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Primal Fear (1996) — 87%
- 12 Angry Men (1957) — 96%
- Witness for the Prosecution (1957) — 89%
- The Judge (2014) — 84%
- The Rainmaker (1997) — 78%
- Gone Girl (2014) — 90%
- A Time to Kill (1996) — 82%
- Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) — 87%
Director
Cast
- James Stewart as Paul "Pauly" Biegler
- Lee Remick as Laura Manion
- Ben Gazzara as Lieutenant Frederick "Manny" Manion
- Arthur O'Connell as Parnell Emmett "Parn" McCarthy
- Eve Arden as Maida Rutledge
- Kathryn Grant as Mary Pilant
- George C. Scott as AAG Claude Dancer
- Orson Bean as Dr. Matthew Smith
- Russ Brown as Deputy Sheriff George Lemon
- Murray Hamilton as Alphonse "Al" Paquette
Anatomy of a Murder FAQ
Is Anatomy of a Murder good?
Anatomy of a Murder has an 86% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 1,128 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Anatomy of a Murder?
In the US you can stream Anatomy of a Murder on Prime Video, watch it free with ads on Fawesome and The Roku Channel and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Anatomy of a Murder OK for kids?
Anatomy of a Murder is rated NR. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 12+. Parents need to know that Anatomy of a Murder is a classic courtroom drama dealing with rape and murder allegations.
What movies are like Anatomy of a Murder?
If you liked Anatomy of a Murder, try Primal Fear, 12 Angry Men, Witness for the Prosecution and The Judge.