I’ve always considered the 1957 film adaptation to be among my very favorites, so any attempt to recreate that story faced an uphill battle. This version, though, proves to be a respectable and engaging production, featuring Sir Ralph Richardson as the grumpy lawyer "Sir Wilfred," who is tasked with defending "Leonard Vole" (Beau Bridges) against accusations of murdering an older woman—a friend who had also left him a substantial sum of money. The courtroom scenes that follow are gripping, supported by solid work from Donald Pleasence portraying opposing counsel ("Mr Myers") and Dame Wendy Hiller as the housekeeper "Janet Mackenzie," all moving at a comfortable speed. Unfortunately, neither Beau Bridges nor Diana Rigg quite deliver compelling portrayals as the accused "Vole" and his deceitful wife "Christine." Their acting feels lacking in the necessary depth and polish to maintain the suspense, and while Sir Ralph is clearly well-suited to his role as the imposing barrister, he can’t entirely elevate those around him like Laughton did a quarter of a century before. Despite this, it remains an enjoyable viewing experience and stands out as one of the stronger TV movies I've seen, with careful attention paid to details such as a rather beautiful vintage Rolls Royce.

Source on TMDB