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The Defenders

  • TV Series
  • 1961–1965
  • TV-14
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
549
YOUR RATING
Robert Reed and E.G. Marshall in The Defenders (1961)
Legal DramaCrimeDrama

A father and son lawyer duo take a variety of cases that often deal with the important issues of the day.A father and son lawyer duo take a variety of cases that often deal with the important issues of the day.A father and son lawyer duo take a variety of cases that often deal with the important issues of the day.

  • Creator
    • Reginald Rose
  • Stars
    • E.G. Marshall
    • Robert Reed
    • Polly Rowles
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.9/10
    549
    YOUR RATING
    • Creator
      • Reginald Rose
    • Stars
      • E.G. Marshall
      • Robert Reed
      • Polly Rowles
    • 15User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 14 Primetime Emmys
      • 15 wins & 19 nominations total

    Episodes132

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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    E.G. Marshall
    E.G. Marshall
    • Lawrence Preston
    • 1961–1965
    Robert Reed
    Robert Reed
    • Kenneth Preston
    • 1961–1965
    Polly Rowles
    Polly Rowles
    • Helen Donaldson
    • 1961–1962
    Ossie Davis
    Ossie Davis
    • District Attorney Daniel Jackson…
    • 1961–1965
    J.D. Cannon
    J.D. Cannon
    • District Attorney…
    • 1961–1965
    Lonny Chapman
    Lonny Chapman
    • District Attorney…
    • 1961–1965
    John Boruff
    • Judge…
    • 1961–1965
    Walter Klavun
    • Judge…
    • 1961–1964
    Frank Overton
    Frank Overton
    • D.A. Bill Bryan…
    • 1961–1965
    Robert Gerringer
    Robert Gerringer
    • The District Attorney…
    • 1961–1964
    Kermit Murdock
    Kermit Murdock
    • D.A. Frank Larkin…
    • 1961–1963
    Murray Hamilton
    Murray Hamilton
    • District Attorney…
    • 1962–1965
    Judson Laire
    Judson Laire
    • Judge…
    • 1961–1965
    Dolph Sweet
    Dolph Sweet
    • Detective #3…
    • 1961–1964
    Lester Rawlins
    • Dr. Wuhl…
    • 1961–1965
    Robert Riesel
    Robert Riesel
    • Court Clerk…
    • 1963–1964
    Marc Connelly
    Marc Connelly
    • Judge…
    • 1962–1964
    William Shatner
    William Shatner
    • Assistant District Attorney Earl Rhodes…
    • 1961–1965
    • Creator
      • Reginald Rose
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews15

    7.9549
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    Featured reviews

    10Deusvolt

    Atty. Preston argues for principles against strict interpretation of the law.

    My elder brother (who is now a Metropolitan Trial Court judge) and I used to watch this every week back in the early '60s. I don't remember much of the episodes except I know I enjoyed most of them. It has a very inspiring trumpet led theme music as the camera took a long bird's eye view panning shot of a majestic courthouse with Greco-Roman architecture.

    I do remember Atty. Preston, the elder, (E.G. Marshall) often arguing on the basis of principles over strict or often shystery interpretation of the law used by his court opponents.

    One episode I distinctly remember is the one that involves a leader of an American neo-Nazi organization who organized a counter-demonstration to a Jewish rally or parade. Dressed in what looked like approximations of Sturmabteilung ("shock troops" or SA)uniforms, they peacefully stood on the sidewalks and shouted "Hitler had the right idea" repeatedly. They got arrested and charged with something in court. The Preston father and son lawyer team had the rather unpleasant but legally correct task of defending the neo-Nazi leader on the grounds of freedom of speech.
    lrachiele1-1

    Request for TV series The Defenders

    Of the 132 stories, 33 are now available. Couldn't we pool our resources to get this show on video DVD. There are high residuals for this show buy if enough people want it, they will pay the money. Most of the TV programs on DVD now were not worth watching even once. One exception is Death Valleys Days in B/W. Let's bug CBS for the remaining 99 episodes of the Defenders. All but three of them were very good. The three bad ones are a two parter The 600 Year Old Gang and Poltergeist. All of the rest were quality stories that would hold up well today. Some of the guest stars included Ruth Roman, Frank Overton, Fritz Weaver, and Robert Redford. Let's ban together and find out who has the rights to the Defenders.
    LRachiele1

    The Defenders

    There are heavy residuals on this great show, which I sure would like see again. Currently I have 32 stories, 29 of which are very good. If anyone has any episodes, please let met know. The ones I have are 30 listed "caseyguy", the Locked Room, and The Nonviolent. Of the remaining 100, I would like all but the the 2 part episode The 600 Year Old Gangm and Poltergest. Both of these were bad. Almost all of the old shows on video stores or cable were not worth watching even once. Somebody out there has the brainpower and pull to make them available to those willing to pay the price. This show caused you to think about conditions in your country. E.G. Marshall as excellent as were the frequent guest stars such as Frank Overton, Viveca Lindfors, Judson Laire, Jack Klugman, Harold Stone, Richard Kiley, Gene Hackmen, Edward Binns, Sylvia Sidney, Robert Webber, Malcom Atterberry, and others. This was the most socially conscious show ever.
    c382000

    Very compelling writing and acting

    I have not seen an episode since the mid-60s (YIKES, how long is that?), but I remember many of them. In one, these father/son are assigned the defense of a young Nazi. The man was defacing a synagogue when he was interrupted by the rabbi, who accidentally fell and hit his head and died. The man was caught and charged with murder, since it was assumed that he had killed the rabbi. There turned out to be a witness who could clear the man. When the Defenders finally tracked him down, he told them the most horrific story of his arrest and transfer to a concentration camp - and for that reason he would not testify for "one of THEM." Their response was, "Do you want us to be like them, ignoring the truth?" And that was how the episode ended - would the witness testify or not? How childish modern TV "drama" seems in comparison...
    9Tom-207

    Realistic, topical, sixties, court room drama

    "The Defenders" realistically portrayed issues of the day, often in a court room setting. They produced the show in New York City with, if memory serves, location exteriors. The court room scenes were well written and directed, usually the high point of each program.

    At its best, the acting could be very good indeed. E.G. Marshall and Robert Reed worked well together as father and son attorneys. Their roles in this series provided them with career high points. The guest stars added further strength to the show.

    As a teenager then, I thought it was a cutting edge show. It would probably be dated if viewed today, since it was filmed mostly in black and white (though the last season might have been color), and production values were different then. One of the best shows of its era, it should be released on DVD, but probably won't be because of onerous residuals obligations.

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    Related interests

    Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, and Kevin Pollak in A Few Good Men (1992)
    Legal Drama
    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      More than half of the actors who played jurors in 12 Angry Men (1957) have roles in the show. In addition to E.G. Marshall, Martin Balsam, Jack Klugman, Edward Binns, Joseph Sweeney, Ed Begley, and Robert Webber appeared in multiple episodes, often as District Attorneys or judges. Furthermore, Ossie Davis appeared in eight episodes as District Attorney Daniel Jackson. Davis played a juror in 12 Angry Men (1997). Series Creator Reginald Rose was nominated for an Oscar for writing 12 Angry Men (1957).
    • Connections
      Featured in Television: The Story Machine (1985)

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    FAQ20

    • How many seasons does The Defenders have?Powered by Alexa
    • This was one of the great TV series of its time, as I recall. Are any of the episodes available anywhere?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 16, 1961 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Preston & Preston
    • Filming locations
      • Filmways Studios - 246 East 127th Street, East Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Defender Productions
      • CBS Television Network
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h(60 min)
    • Color
      • Black and White

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