8/4/2019 Ek Ruka Hua Faisla GLP

1/2

EK RUKA HUA FAISLA GLP

The movie is the story of a jury of 12 members who have to arrive at a decision of whether the

suspected boy had committed the murder of his father within a specified time. We can see various

aspects of group dynamics come into play through the course of the movie.

Some jurors, who were undecided on the issue, at the beginning, made their decision based on how

others voted, to avoid being seen as the odd man out. They display going with the herd behaviour. This

was apparent from the fact that they looked at the other jurors before casting their vote. Juror 2 and the

old man will particularly fit this category. Juror 2 was unsure of himself and was easily manipulated by

the dominant jurors in the initial part of the case proceedings.

Juror 8, who initially opposes the group decision, shows strong leadership skills. Initially not taking any

side in the case proceedings, he tries to position himself not as the enemy but just a fellow juror, who

wants to be sure of the decision. He starts persuading the group to discuss the case openly, before

arriving at a decision. Later on the case, it is evident that he believes that the suspect is not guilty. His

strong leadership skills are also evident in other scenes like when he crushes the paper with the tic tac

toe game and openly opposes juror 3. This was evident from some other scenes also where he speaks

out, when the other jurors dont focus on the task at hand. Thus he displays task oriented leadership

skills. Juror 8 shows remarkable leadership right at the end, when he calmly told juror 3 that it was not

his son on trial now but someone elses son, allowing juror 3 to join the other side gracefully.

The fact that there were no strong leaders among the majority also comes to the fore. Juror 10 starts

ranting about how slum kids are dishonest showing his prejudice against them and alienates the rest of

the group members. The fact that the usually calm juror 4, who goes by the rule book, gets angry at him

and tells him to shut up, shows us how poor leadership skills can even bring a majority group down. At

the same time, the fact that even the minority group members respect Juror 4, who goes by the rules,

gives us clues as to how respect is earned.

Though there were diverse people in the group, the final decision was arrived at with the help of their

diversity. With juror 5 from poor slum areas helping them with how the knife is handled, the old man,

juror 9, noting the spectacled lady etc. Thus we should take advantage of diversity available to us in a

group.

8/4/2019 Ek Ruka Hua Faisla GLP

2/2

Well functioning teams working towards a common goal should see and understand each others point

of view. At the same time, the group should stick together, strengthening each other. Juror 6, who

supports the old man, when he is ridiculed by another juror, shows this characteristic. The most

remarkable thing about the jury was that the team did not quit. They stuck to the task, eventually

arriving at the decision. Though some people wanted to go with decision of hung jury, the remarkable

determination and attitude of some of the jury members ensured that they arrived at the final decision.