Fonda's wink....


...just after Cass has been revealed as the murderer, Lincoln approaches the bench, tells the judge he has no more questions and the prosecutor 'Your witness'. He then turns to watch the ensuing hubbub for a few seconds before giving a sly wink to someone offscreen to his right. I can't quite decide whether this was scripted/directed, or whether Fonda momentarily broke character. It's quite discernible when you're looking for it, but it barely registered the first time.

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Yes you're right. Didn't notice it myself first time but now you mention it, it's quite obvious. He definitely looks to his right offscreen as there is no-one there in the context of the film...the judge, jury and prosecuter are behind him, the clerk to his lower right and everyone else in front of him. To me,it looks like fonda thought the scene was over... Unless something was later cut that would have put the wink into context.

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I remember that, I just thought it was Lincoln being cocky to a bailiff or something

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