Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Which film was Sidney Lumet’s first feature as a director?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Sidney Lumet
American director Sidney Lumet after receiving an Academy Award for lifetime achievement, 2005.
Sidney Lumet’s first feature film as a director was 12 Angry Men, released in 1957.12
While Lumet had an extensive background in theater and television directing prior to this, 12 Angry Men marked his transition to feature filmmaking. The courtroom drama, which originated as a live television production, earned Lumet an Academy Award nomination for best director.21