Is (or was) the atmosphere in the courtroom really as it is portrayed in this (excruciatingly long, but quite fascinating) film?

And also, wtf? A movie about a horrible, misogynistic murderer getting off on a plea of insanity so he can go on to terrorize his beautiful, drunken wife (who is characterized as incorrigibly sexual, and whose rape is downplayed throughout the entire film), and it was nominated for 7 Academy Awards?

I guess the times really have changed. Brilliant performances, although whenever I watch old movies I marvel at how much I’ve gotten used to naturalistic acting.