Brilliant One Room Screenplays

The following films do not have gunfights, car chases, or aliens. They do have however, brilliant acting and incredible script writing. All three entries have one common theme. These drama based films rely almost entirely on a cast of interesting characters with different perspective. Each of the stories below take place in one single room (at last for the majority of the time). intelligent and intriguing they will be sure to hold your undivided attention from start to finish, leaving you with the profound feeling of satisfaction as only the best stories have the power to do. No spoilers I promise. Enjoy!


Twilight Zone: Season 5 Ep. 31

The Encounter-1964

Neville Brand, George Takei


12 Angry men-1957

Henry Fonda as Juror #8


The Man From Earth-2007

David Lee Smith as John Oldman


The Encounter...

This one takes place in the attic of a World War II veteran who fought and killed on Iwo Jima and acquired an officers sword for suvenire. George Takei plays a young Japanese American who witnessed the bombing of Pearl Harbor from his childhood home in Hawaii. As with most Twilight Zone episodes there is an unexpected twist. At the time of original broadcast it was considered controversial due to the nature of the subject. Nineteen years had passed since WWII and it was still rare to feature a man of Japanese descent without the usual stereotypes i.e. buck teeth, cheesy accents.


12 Angry Men...

A courtroom drama, and one of the best movies ever made. 12 jurors deliberate in a hot room in the middle of summer with no air conditioner. They have the tremendous responsibility of deciding a young man's fate. will the young man be sent to prison for the rest of his days, or is there reasonable doubt? Marlon Brando challenges evidence and invites his fellow jurors to reexamine the case with new perspective. From the wise old man to the inquisitive pushover, each juror brings a unique view of the courtroom. if you were to make a list of 10 movies to see before you die, this would have to be on it.


The Man From Earth…

My personal favorite from this list(I really enjoy Sci-Fi). a professor is at his home packing his belongings and invites his colleagues over for a final farewell. When they arrive he proposes a question. What if a Caveman never aged and lived to today. David Lee Smith reveals that he has lived for over 14,000 years and never ages. the professors being the panel of experts they explore what this person would be like biologically, historically, and even what religion he may practice. Written by one of the contributors to the original Star Trek Series, and the Twilight Zone, this one will entertain and intrigue.


feel free to share your thoughts, and favorite one room screenplays below