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5.8/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.8/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Bellamy Trial remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
You should probably watch this if you're the type of person who enjoys eavesdropping on people having a breakdown in public. If you need car chases or things blowing up, you will definitely hate this and should probably go watch something else. 🍿
It's basically a very early talkie that stays stuck in one room for almost the whole time. Usually, that would be a nightmare, but the way they shot the courtroom makes it feel like you're actually sitting in the back row with a bag of peanuts.
The story is about Mimi Bellamy, who got herself murdered in a cottage. Now her husband and a woman named Sue Ives are fighting for their lives while the lawyers poke at their private business.
Leatrice Joy is the standout here as Sue. She has these *incredibly* wide eyes that seem to vibrate whenever the prosecutor gets mean.
I noticed the sound quality is a bit crunchy, which is expected for 1929. Every time someone moves a chair, it sounds like a small explosion, which actually adds to the tension in a weird way.
There is this one witness who comes on and just seems so annoyed to be there. He kept adjusting his tie and looking at the ceiling like he had a much better place to be. It felt more real than most of the big emotional speeches.
The camera doesn't move much, but it does these slow zooms on the defendants' faces that feel very intrusive. It’s like the movie is trying to peel their skin off to see if they're lying. 🔎
It reminded me a bit of the vibe in Hail the Woman, mostly because of how much weight is put on a woman's reputation back then. One wrong move and the whole town thinks you're a monster.
The prosecutor is a real piece of work. He yells so much I thought he was going to pop a vein right there on the black-and-white film.
I did find myself getting a bit distracted by the hats in the crowd. Some of the ladies in the gallery are wearing these massive things that must have blocked the view for everyone behind them.
There's a lot of talk about a specific letter, and the movie spends a good ten minutes just circling around what might be in it. It’s the kind of slow-burn mystery that works if you’re actually paying attention to the names.
If you've seen Three Sinners, you know how these late 20s dramas love to make people suffer for their secrets. *The Bellamy Trial* is no different, but it feels a bit more grounded because of the legal setting.
One reaction shot of the judge lingers for way too long. He just looks so tired of hearing about people’s affairs and midnight walks in the garden. I felt that in my soul.
The ending comes at you pretty fast after a lot of slow build-up. It’s not exactly a twist that will blow your mind, but it satisfies that itch for a solid conclusion.
I liked how the movie didn't try to be fancy with the sets. It’s just wood, shadows, and a bunch of people sweating in wool suits. 🏛️
It’s a bit of a relic, sure. But it’s a fascinating one if you want to see how movies first started learning how to talk without stopping to breathe.
Overall, it’s a solid afternoon watch. Just don't expect it to move any faster than a real court case would. ⚖️
IMDb —
1923
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