Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

Superb courtroom drama directed by Otto Preminger. 

James Stewart plays a brilliant but unconventional former district attorney, who acts as a defence lawyer for a suspected murder. 

There are plenty of quirky and strange characters, and dialogue is also attractively offbeat – particularly given the repeated reference to "panties". 

Every actor is remarkable, and there are memorable performances by Lee Remick (as the ambiguous Laura Manion), Ben Gazzara (as Lt. Frederick Manion) and George C. Scott (as the prosecutor Claude Dancer). Especially memorable is the judge played by Joseph N. Welch (a real-life lawyer). 

There's also an excellent soundtrack by Duke Ellington.

The Bridge at Remagen (1969)

A merely OK war film based on the true story of the Germans and the Allies fighting for control of a strategically vital bridge over the Rhine. 

It’s interestingly shot, and the firepower all looks real enough. The problem is an average script. Also, the characters aren’t especially well-drawn. Without a focal point, it’s harder to identify with anyone. Poor storytelling means that you’re unsure how you’re meant to feel about the characters and their situation. 

Robert Vaughn plays a German general who seems troubled by his role with the Nazis. Unfortunately the actor doesn’t really bother with an accent. George Segal plays his American counterpart while Ben Gazzara is Sergeant Angelo (a.k.a. “Angel”), his likeable friend. 

There’s a stronger, grittier film buried deep inside this one, but director John Guillermin is unable to draw it out.