Witness for the Prosecution - Characters & Cast

His primary motivation is the intellectual challenge of a seemingly impossible case. Restricted by his health, he craves the thrill and mental stimulation of the courtroom, which he sees as his true purpose. He is driven by a belief in his own superior ability to discern truth and manipulate the legal system to serve what he believes is justice.

Sir Wilfrid begins as a brilliant, cynical, and seemingly infallible barrister, albeit one weakened by a heart attack. His arc is one of intellectual pride leading to a fall. He takes Leonard's case out of a desire to prove his mind is still sharp. He masterfully conducts the defense, believing he has uncovered the truth and outsmarted the prosecution. The final revelation that he was merely a pawn in Christine's elaborate game shatters his self-assurance, leaving him humbled but also invigorated to take on a new, more just cause: defending Christine.

Her sole motivation is her all-consuming love for Leonard Vole. She is willing to commit perjury, create an elaborate deception, and sacrifice her own freedom to ensure his. When that motivation is destroyed by his betrayal, it is instantly replaced by a powerful desire for revenge.

Christine is introduced as a cold, enigmatic German wife. Her arc is a series of calculated transformations. She first appears as a potential alibi, then transforms into a vindictive, hateful witness for the prosecution, and later a disguised Cockney informant. The final twist reveals her true arc: a deeply devoted lover who masterminded the entire plot to save her husband. This image is shattered in the final moments when, upon discovering his betrayal, she transforms once more into an agent of immediate, violent justice. She is consistently underestimated and proves to be the most intelligent and ruthless character in the film.

Initially, his motivation appears to be survival and proving his innocence. However, his true motivations are greed (for Mrs. French's inheritance) and self-preservation at any cost. He is driven by a sociopathic ability to manipulate those around him, particularly women who love him, for his own gain.

Leonard Vole presents himself as a charming, likable, and slightly naive man wrongfully accused of a terrible crime. Throughout the trial, he maintains this persona of the innocent victim, gaining the trust of Sir Wilfrid and the sympathy of the audience. His arc is a complete inversion upon his acquittal. The mask of innocence drops to reveal a smug, cold-blooded murderer who not only killed Mrs. French but also callously used his wife's devotion. This shocking reveal recasts his entire performance as a masterful deception.

Her motivation is simple and unwavering: to keep Sir Wilfrid Robarts alive by enforcing his doctor's strict regimen. She is dedicated to her professional duty, even in the face of Sir Wilfrid's constant attempts to undermine her authority regarding his cigars, brandy, and workload.

Miss Plimsoll is Sir Wilfrid's fiercely protective and overbearing private nurse. Her character does not have a significant arc but serves as a constant and necessary foil to Sir Wilfrid. She is the guardian of his health, engaging in a continuous battle of wits with her cantankerous patient. Their comedic sparring, a highlight of the film, was enhanced by the fact that actors Charles Laughton and Elsa Lanchester were married in real life.