Reversal of Fortune

Reversal of Fortune
Theatrical release poster
Directed byBarbet Schroeder
Screenplay byNicholas Kazan
Based onReversal of Fortune: Inside the von Bülow Case
by Alan Dershowitz
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyLuciano Tovoli
Edited byLee Percy
Music byMark Isham
Production
companies
  • Reversal Films, Inc.
  • Sovereign Pictures
  • Shochiku Fuji Co. Ltd.
Distributed byWarner Bros.
Release dates
  • September 12, 1990 (1990-09-12) (TIFF)
  • October 19, 1990 (1990-10-19) (United States)
Running time
111 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$15.4 million

Reversal of Fortune is a 1990 American drama film adapted from the 1985 book Reversal of Fortune: Inside the von Bülow Case, written by law professor Alan Dershowitz. It recounts the true story of the unexplained coma of socialite Sunny von Bülow, the subsequent attempted murder trial, and the eventual acquittal of her husband, Claus von Bülow, who had Dershowitz as his defense attorney.[1] The film was directed by Barbet Schroeder and stars Jeremy Irons as Claus, Glenn Close as Sunny, and Ron Silver as Dershowitz. Screenwriter Nick Kazan originally envisioned Austrian actor Klaus Maria Brandauer in the role of Claus von Bülow but was thrilled with Irons' performance. Irons earned the 1990 Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the film.

  1. ^ State v. von Bulow, 475 A.2d 995 (R.I. 1984).