Movies and television shows about the law and crimes can help people learn their rights as well as the process of how things go legally without having to be a lawyer. Even if not everything is accurate, they would still have an idea and interest which is good for the nation. There will always be lessons that must be learned in every scene and episode, that is why we have gathered some of the best films and television shows that talks about crime and law.
“We’re standing here in Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, the birthplace of freedom, where the founding fathers authored the Declaration of Independence, and I don’t recall that glorious document saying anything about all straight men are created equal. I believe it says men are created equal.”
PHILADELPHIA
One of the most popular films that involve lawyers and a particular case is the 1993 film Philadelphia, starring Tom Hanks, who won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in this film, together with Denzel Washington.
The film basically centers on Andrew Beckett, a senior associate at one of the largest corporate law firms in Philadelphia, as a respected lawyer, he had a secret of his own, he is a homosexual who is suffering from AIDS. The films then focus on how people not accepting the fact that he is a homosexual lawyer, he asked help from his fellow attorneys but none of them helped him with his case of lost paperwork, that he believed someone set up to actually get him into trouble, and the firm ended up firing him for being incompetent and they also accused him of trying to hide his illness. He eventually acted as his own legal representation. Beckett eventually won the case with the help of other lawyers, but he, unfortunately, succumbed to his illness and died.
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
This next one is one of the most popular book-to-film adaptations in the 20th century. This film was based on the best-selling book of the same name, by Harper Lee. The film basically centers to a lawyer named Atticus Finch and his two children. It talks about how people back then are racists and prejudice, especially when Finch was asked to defend a black man who was accused of raping a girl without any medical proof. Atticus Finch is known for being a great example not just to his children but to everyone who knows him because he stayed fair in the name of justice.
HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER
From movies to books, and now to an amazing television series. How To Get Away With Murder basically centers on a law professor and criminal defense attorney named Annalise Keating, portrayed by Academy Award-winning actress, Viola Davis. She, along with her five law students are caught in the middle of a murder case. She basically helped her students unfold the mystery of the murder, which turned out to be one of her students, so as their mentor, she then helped her student get away with murder, hence the title.
LAW AND ORDER
The television series Law and Order are considered to be one of the longest running television shows courtesy of NBC network.
It is originally set in New York City and talks about investigations of different crimes, which is most of the time murder. Some cases were said to be based on real life murder cases.
The show basically tells everything in two parts. First is the criminal justice system where people involved will be investigated by the police and the second part is about the district attorneys who handle the case.
SUICIDE SQUAD
Finally, this last one may be a fantasy film, but it basically focuses on criminals coming together for a mission. It was originally from DC comics. All heroes involved are considered as high profiled criminals, who are formed and used by the government to become a special action force. This film stars Will Smith, Viola Davis, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, and more.
“There are crimes which becomes innocent, and even glorious, through their splendor, number, and excess: Hence it is, that public theft is called Address, and to seize on Provinces unjustly, to make Conquests.”
Keep in mind that not everything that happens in these films and shows also happens in real life, so it is best to have further research about particular things that you are uncertain of. Every single person in this world must know their rights, especially in times of trouble.
