By Shannonn Kelly
5:35AM, EST, March 27, 2009

Roger Ebert gives the Russian film “12″ three and a half stars. Directed by Nikita Mikhalkov, Roger says, it not so much a re-make of the  12 Angry Men film made in 1957but more so, “inspired by a powerful older one.”

Scene from "12", Directed by Nikita Mikhalov

For film buffs that have seen 12 Angry Men (1957), directed by first-time director Sidney Lumet, on almost exclusively one set, you remember all the great character actors that hardly anyone talks about anymore.

Most notably for me is Lee J. Cobb, E. G. Marshall and Martin Balsam. The film also starred Henry Fonda, John Fiedler, Jack Klugman, Edward Binns, Jack Warden, Joseph Sweeney, Ed Begley, George Voskovec and Robert Webber in a film that revolves around 12 men and their their difficulty in reaching a unanimous verdict due, in some cases, to their prejudices.

What’s interesting about “12″ Rogers says, “It’s not how the film ends, but how it gets there.” I saw the extended trailer and was blown away. To read Roger’s review, please click here.