Agatha Christie's "Witness for the Prosecution"

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This paper will present a compare and contrast of the short story, "Witness for the Prosecution" to the screenplay of the same name written by Agatha Christie. The focus of the similarities and differences will be, a review of the characters and the story.

In both versions there are both likable and unlikable characters that create a gripping tale where you find yourself hoping young Leonard Vole will beat the overwhelming odds stacked against him. Vole has been accused of murdering the late Mrs. Finch and in both he is represented by the defense attorney, Mr. Mayherne (changed later in the screenplay to Mayhew). However, in the screenplay Mayherne is the assistant of Sir Wilfrid Robarts, Q.C. Sir Robarts plays a foremost roll in the screen play, but his character does not exist in the short story. Leonard's wife, a foreign woman named Romaine, is as cunning and ruthless in both the play and the short story however her character as with most of the characters are presented differently by both stories. Finally, the maid of the late Mrs. Finch is Janet Mac Kenzie. Her charact...

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