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Reversal of Fortune (1990)

R  |   |  Biography, Drama, Mystery  |  9 November 1990 (USA)
7.3
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Ratings: 7.3/10 from 10,692 users   Metascore: 93/100
Reviews: 57 user | 27 critic | 18 from Metacritic.com

Wealthy Sunny von Bülow lies brain-dead, husband Claus guilty of attempted murder; but he says he's innocent and hires Alan Dershowitz for his appeal.

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Won 1 Oscar. Another 11 wins & 13 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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...
...
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Maria, Sunny's Personal Maid
...
Jack Gilpin ...
Peter MacIntosh, Dershowitz's Student Staff
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Andrea Reynolds, Claus' Girlfriend
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...
Ellen
...
Minnie, Dershowitz's Student Staff
Mano Singh ...
Raj, Dershowitz's Student Staff
Johann Carlo ...
Nancy
Keith Reddin ...
Dobbs, Dershowitz's Student Staff
Alan Pottinger ...
Chuck, Dershowitz's Student Staff
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Storyline

Alan Dershowitz a brilliant professor of law is hired by wealthy socialite Claus von Bulow to attempt to overturn his two convictions for attempted murder of his extremely wealthy wife. Based on a true story the film concentrates not on the trial like other legal thrillers, but on the preparatory work that Dershowitz and his students put in as they attempt to disprove the prosecution's case and achieve the Reversal of Fortune of the title. Written by Mark Thompson <mrt@oasis.icl.co.uk>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

The Case of Claus Von Bulow. An American Saga of Money and Mystery.


Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

| |

Language:

|

Release Date:

9 November 1990 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

El misterio Von Bulow  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Gross:

$15,445,131 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Uta Hagen's final film. See more »

Goofs

When the intern wants to quit the project and heads for the door, the shot is flopped. Her books and purse change arms between shots. See more »

Quotes

Alan Dershowitz: Claus, did you hear what I just said?
Claus von Bülow: Of course I did! Did you hear the judge sentence me?
Alan Dershowitz: Uh, yeah, thirty years, that's tough.
Claus von Bülow: Twice trying to murder one's wife? Anything less would be monstrous.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Will & Grace: The Truth About Will and Dogs (1998) See more »

Soundtracks

Hark, the Herald Angels Sing
(uncredited)
Music by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, adapted by William H. Cummings
Lyrics by Charles Wesley
Performed by Jad Mager and Sarah Fearon
See more »

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User Reviews

Remarkable performance by Irons

Claus von Bulow was accused and convicted of twice attempting to kill his wife, Sunny von Bulow. The film is about the appeal

Nicholas Kazan takes a huge risk, and has Sunny von Bulow (Glenn Close, who is marvelous) narrate the story, while in a coma. It pays off beautifully. We learn the lifestyle in which they inhabit, there daily arguments about Claus' "extra-curricular" activities, work, etc. In comes Alan Dershowitz (Ron Silver), who is hired by Claus to do the appeal.

Fascinating and provocative, we see the way Ron Silver tries to find out if his client is guilty or innocent. The cast is a treat to watch, down to even the smallest roles. But it's Jeremy Irons who dominates with his chilling performance.

By the end of the movie, we don't really care whether or not Claus is guilty, a testament to Barbet Schroeder, and Nicholas Kazan.


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