Classic Clint movie about morality and ambiguity. It's definitely not 12 angry men, but it's a gripping drama fitting for his legacy (unlike Cry Macho).
The case was probably left deliberately vague and most of the audience would've asked themselves the same question as a result. What would I have done in that position?
Squint and you'll see the libertarian, individualistic themes the veteran Eastwood fan comes to expect.
The dangers of placing society over the individual at all costs. The obsession for "justice" just to feed our own delusions of law and order.
