The Verdict

The Verdict, motion picture about an alcoholic attorney who takes on a medical malpractice case that could potentially change his life, based on a novel by Barry Reed. Released in 1982, the drama stars Paul Newman as the beleaguered lawyer, Frank Galvin. Galvin represents a young woman who fell into a permanent coma as a result of the negligence of hospital workers. Although the hospital offers to settle the case out of court, Galvin decides that justice will be better served if he wins the case in court. He also hopes to salvage his reputation by winning the big case. David Mamet wrote the film’s screenplay.

Director

• Sidney Lumet

Cast

• Paul Newman (Frank Galvin)
• Charlotte Rampling (Laura Fischer)
• Jack Warden (Mickey Morrissey)
• James Mason (Ed Concannon)
• Milo O'Shea (Judge Hoyle)
• Lindsay Crouse (Kaitlin Costello Price)
• Edward Binns (Bishop Brophy)
• Julie Bovasso (Maureen Rooney)
• Roxanne Hart (Sally Doneghy)
• James Handy (Kevin Doneghy)
• Wesley Addy (Dr. Towler)
• Joe Seneca (Dr. Thompson)
• Lewis J. Stadlen (Dr. Gruber)
• Kent Broadhurst (Joseph Alito)
• Colin Stinton (Billy)
• Burtt Harris (Jimmy the bartender)
• Scott Rhyne (Young priest)
• Susan Benenson (Deborah Ann Kaye)
• Evelyn Moore (Dr. Gruber's nurse)
• Juanita Fleming (Dr. Gruber's maid)
• Jack Collard (Bailiff)
• Ralph Douglas (Clerk)
• Gregor Roy (Jury foreman)
• John Blood (Funeral director)
• Dick McGoldrick (Manager)
• Edward Mason (Widow's son)
• Patty O'Brien (Irish nurse)
• Maggie Task (Irish nurse)
• Joseph Bergman (Friedman)
• Herbert Rubens (Abrams)
• J. P. Foley (John)
• Leib Lensky (Wheelchair patient)
• Clay Dear (Courthouse lawyer)
• J. J. Clark (Courthouse guard)
• Greg Doucette (Waiter)
• Tony LaFortezza (Sheraton bartender)
• Marvin Beck (Sheraton patron)
• Herb Peterson (Sheraton patron)

Quote

• Galvin (addressing the jury, summing up his case): “Today you are the law. You are the law. Not some book. Not the lawyers. Not a marble statue, or the trappings of the court. See, those are just symbols of our desire to be just. They are—they are, in fact, a prayer. A fervent and a frightened prayer.”