Saratov State Law Academy Twelve Angry Men

Dear students, before watching the EPISODE 1 of the film I’d like you to read and memorize new words and word combination:

bored-sounding – говорить что-либо скучным голосом wearily – утомленно, устало

murder in the first degree – убийство первой степени admonish – наставлять, делать внушение

charge of pre-meditated murder – обвинение в преднамеренном убийстве a mandatory death sentence – обязательный смертный приговор

fancy – фантазия, воображение

life is at stake – жизнь поставлена на карту reasonable doubt – разумные\обоснованные сомнения in good conscience – с чистой совестью recommendation for mercy – прошение о помиловании a grave responsibility – серьезная ответственность despondent – упавший духом

slum boy – мальчик из трущоб

EPISODE 1

THE JUDGE’S INSTRUCTION

As you’ve seen the EPISODE 1 I’d like you to do the following task:

1. Would you please look through the statements given below attentively and choose the right one:

The jury were:

a) all-female; b) all-male; c) all-blacks. The judge:

a) forced the jury to find the accused guilty; b) wearily instructed the jury; c) explained the jury their duties.

The committed crime:

a) was not serious; b) was serious enough to be imprisoned; c) was considered as disorderly conduct.

Long and complex case listened by jury was of murder:

a) in the third degree; b) in the second degree; c) in the first degree. The murder in the first degree leads to:

a) life-imprisonment; b) social services c) a mandatory death sentence.

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Saratov State Law Academy Twelve Angry Men

Who was the victim of such a serious crime:

a) a mother of the accused; b) a stranger; c) a father of the accused. Who was the accused:

a) a habitual criminal; b) a killer; c) 18 years old slum boy. The judge admonished the jury:

a) in a special jury room; b) privately; c) in a courtroom in the presence of the accused.

The accused was charged in:

a) manslaughter; b) pre-meditated murder. The accused looked:

a) despondent oppressed and scared b) self-satisfied with confidence.

2.As you’ve chosen the best variants, please make up the plan of the EPISODE 1 and be ready to give your own interpretation of this part of the film.

3.Retell this episode as if you were:

a) the judge; b) the jury; c) the accused

EPISODE 2

THE START OF JURY DELIBERATIONS

Before watching the EPISODE 2 of the film I’d like you to know that none of the jurors are named, and they don't formally introduce themselves to each other. Jurors are labeled with numbers based on their jury numbers and seats at a conference table in the jury room (in clock-wise order).

The Twelve Jurors:

A summary of the anonymous characters helps you to flesh out their characters and backgrounds. The order in which each eventually decides to vote "not guilty" is given in brackets:

Juror #1 (The Foreman): A high-school assistant head coach, doggedly concerned to keep the proceedings formal and maintain authority; easily frustrated and sensitive when someone objects to his control; inadequate for the job as foreman, not a natural leader and over-shadowed by Juror # 8's natural leadership [9]

Juror #2: A wimpy, balding bank clerk/teller, easily persuaded, meek, hesitant, goes along with the majority, eagerly offers cough drops to other men during tense times of argument [5]

Juror #3: Runs a messenger service (the "Beck and Call" Company), a bullying, rude and husky man, extremely biased, completely intolerant, forceful and loudmouthed, temperamental and vengeful; estrangement from his own teenaged son causes him to be hateful toward all young people (and the defendant); arrogant, quick-angered, quick-to-convict, and defiant until the very end [12]

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Juror #4: Well-educated, smug and conceited, well-dressed stockbroker, presumably wealthy; studious, methodical, possesses an incredible recall and grasp of the facts of the case; common-sensical, dispassionate, cool-headed and rational, yet stuffy and prim; often displays a stern glare; treats the case like a puzzle to be deductively solved rather than as a case that may send the defendant to death; claims that he never sweats [10 - tie]

Juror #5: Naive, insecure, frightened,; has a slum-dwelling upbringing that the case resurrects in his mind; a guilty vote would distance him from his past. [3]

Juror #6: A typical "working man," dull-witted, experiences difficulty in making up his own mind, a follower; probably a manual laborer or painter; respectful of older juror and willing to back up his words with fists [6]

Juror #7: Clownish, impatient salesman, a flashy dresser, gum-chewing, obsessed baseball fan who wants to leave as soon as possible to attend evening game; throws wadded up paper balls at the fan; uses baseball metaphors and references throughout all his statements (he tells the foreman to "stay in there and pitch"); lacks complete human concern for the defendant and for the immigrant juror; extroverted; keeps up amusing banter; votes with the majority [7]

Juror #8: An architect, needs a thoughtful reconsideration of the case against the accused; symbolically clad in white; a liberal-minded, patient truth-and-justice seeker who uses soft-spoken, calm logical reasoning; balanced, decent, courageous, well-spoken and concerned; [1]

Juror #9: Eldest man in group, white-haired, thin, retiring and resigned to death but has a resurgence of life during deliberations; soft-spoken but perceptive, fairminded [2]

Juror #10: A garage owner, who simmers with anger, bitterness, racist bigotry; nasty, repellent, intolerant, reactionary and accusative; segregates the world into 'us' and 'them'; needs the support of others to reinforce his manic rants [10 - tie]

Juror #11: A watchmaker, speaks with a heavy accent, of German-European descent, a recent refugee and immigrant; expresses reverence and respect for American democracy, its system of justice, and the infallibility of the Law [4]

Juror #12: Well-dressed, smooth-talking business ad man with thick black glasses; doodles cereal box slogan and packaging ideas for "Rice Pops"; superficial, easily-swayed, and easy-going; vacillating, lacks deep convictions or belief system; uses advertising talk at one point: "run this idea up the flagpole and see if anybody salutes it" [8]

1. As you’ve understood there are too many outlined unknown words characterizing each person and I’d like you to translate them into Russian. Use the dictionary.

Let’s name the part we’ll watch Vote of 11 to 1.

A PAUSE

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2. As you’ve watched the part Vote of 11 to 1of the EPISODE 2 please mark the true statements with T and false ones with F:

The foreman presents two alternatives: should they discuss things first and then vote, or "take a preliminary vote" immediately to "see who's where"?

The former alternative is chosen, and the jury discusses things first before voting.

Their verdict “guilty” was unanimous.

Juror # 10 shakes his head, clearly disbelieving and upset by the lone dissenter (бунтарь).

Juror # 8 votes not guilty, not because he is sure of the boy's innocence, but because he wishes to talk about the serious case without emotionally pre-judging the eighteen-year old boy.

3. Listen to jury conversations once again and then try to define who pronounced the phrases given below:

1.The kid's a dangerous killer, you could see it...He stabbed his own father, four inches into the chest. They proved it a dozen different ways in court, would you like me to list them for ya

2.I don’t necessarily believe the boy's story, but I feel that the accused is entitled to a thoughtful weighing of the facts – the legal standard that they were given by the judge:

3.It's not easy to raise my hand and send a boy off to die without talking about it first...We're talking about somebody's life here. We can't decide in five minutes. Supposin' we're wrong.

4.You couldn't change my mind if you talked for a hundred years.

5.Look, this kid's been kicked around all of his life. You know, born in a slum. Mother dead since he was nine. He lived for a year and a half in an orphanage when his father was serving a jail term for forgery. That's not a very happy beginning. He's a wild, angry kid, and that's all he's ever been. And you know why, because he's been hit on the head by somebody once a day, every day. He's had a pretty miserable eighteen years. I just think we owe him a few words, that's all.

6.I don't mind telling you this, mister. We don't owe him a thing. He got a fair trial, didn't he? What do you think that trial cost? He's lucky he got it. You know what I mean? Now look, we're all grown-ups in here. We heard the facts, didn't we? You're not gonna tell me that we're supposed to believe this kid, knowing what he is. Listen, I've lived among them all my life. You can't believe a word they say. You know that. I mean, they're born liars.

4.Please try to explain why the title Vote of 11 to 1 is more appropriate.

5.Give the definitions of the words: deliberation, dispute and quarrel

6.Which one would you use characterizing jury behavior we’ve seen and conversations we’ve listened to in jury room? Give your opinion.

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