Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

• Wine Pairing: Cabernet Sauvignon

• Overview: Directed by Otto Preminger, this courtroom drama stars James Stewart as a lawyer defending a man accused of murder. The film is known for its realistic portrayal of the legal process and its compelling performances.

• Why Cabernet Sauvignon: The Cabernet Sauvignon’s deep, layered flavors mirror the film’s intricate plot and complex characters. Just as the wine reveals new notes with each sip, the film unveils new twists and turns with each scene.

The film “Anatomy of a Murder” (1959) is not in the public domain. It was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2012, recognizing its cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance. You can view the film through various media platforms or here. Check out the actors in the film through IMDb. You can check the book out through your local library, purchase a copy, or view here. Learn more about the Motion Picture Production Code (Hays Code), including reviewing the code restrictions.

For more details about the real-life court case that Anatomy of Murder was based upon, you can check out this link. It provides case transcripts and testimony. Please note that the content might be sensitive to some readers due to the nature of the crime involved. For more details about the history of the irresistible impulse test, you can check out this link. It provides a comprehensive account of the evolution of the insanity defense in criminal law. Here is a link to learn the basic steps of a court trial.

If you are new to wine, here is a wine 101 Beginners Guide to start with. To be more wine savvy, check out this list of wine descriptions. Here is a list of wines from dry to sweet and description of each type of grape. Here is a cool visual - the periodic table of wine. Check out this tip on, based on alcohol content, the serving size to pour wine (expect for a port we tend to serve a generous pour despite the alcohol content). You can sharpen your palate through a Wine Tasting Challenge.

Check out this very brief history of cinema. You can also explore this history of film timeline for more detail on the various eras of film history. If you love classic films and want to see them on the big screen you need to visit the Stanford Theatre in Palo Alto, CA. They only play classics, including silent films, and have a Wurlitzer Organ that is raised and played for the audience between films. In addition to watching stories unfold on the silver screen, there was a time (1935-55) where you could listen to a weekly broadcast where an hour-long adaptation of a popular film or even Broadway play, often starring the members of the original cast. This radio show was called the Lux Radio Theatre.