The Fugitive (1947)
Directed by John Ford
Genres - Drama |
Sub-Genres - Religious Drama |
Release Date - Nov 11, 1947 (USA) |
Run Time - 104 min. |
Countries - Mexico, United States |
MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Hal Erickson
The Fugitive was shot on location in Mexico by that country's premiere cinematographer, Gabriel Figueroa. Henry Fonda plays a Christ-like priest in an unnamed Latin-American country where religion has been outlawed. Though incognito in a backwater village, Fonda cannot help but seem more spiritual and mystical than those around him. Meanwhile, another fugitive, homicidal-bandit Ward Bond, stumbles into the village. Bond and the beautiful Dolores del Rio, whose illegitimate child has been secretly baptized by Fonda, conspire to help the priest escape. Once Fonda is on safe ground, he is implored by police spy J. Carroll Naish to return to the village, ostensibly because Bond is dying and wishes to have last rites. Fonda is captured and sentenced to death, but is willing to forgive the repentant Naish for betraying him. The priest dies a martyr, and the outpouring of public grief proves to the authorities that simply outlawing religion will never subjugate the hearts and minds of the people.
Characteristics
Moods
Themes
Keywords
betrayal, corruption, execution, imprisonment, Latin-America, martyrdom, oppression, police, priest, religion, revolution, village, one-against-odds
Attributes
High Artistic Quality, High Production Values