MovieChat Forums > I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932) Discussion > Criminally underrated

Criminally underrated

posted 18 years ago by classicmoviecomedy
21 replies | jump to latest

Why this film doesn't receive more praise is beyond me. Perhaps because it doesn't fit neatly into one genre (notice how many "great films" of the 30s and 40s tend to be "genre" films?). It's part prison/crime drama, part social statement, with possibly tinges of the gangster film genre, at least in theory (although James Allen is no gangster).

It's one of the most powerful films I've ever seen. Well acted, brutally realistic.

Paul Muni is probably best known today for his later "historical" roles in films for Warner Bros., such as THE LIFE OF EMILE ZOLA and JUAREZ. (Of course, present day audiences may know him best as the original "Scarface"). In my opinion, this film offered him the performance of a lifetime.

[–] entej 15 years ago

500 votes of "1". What a f-ink idiot can give this movie a 1/10??

[–] vinidici 15 years ago

Could it be a dishonest voting tactic? If you're one of those voters, say, who thinks Shawshank relegates the invention of sliced bread to a distant second, then you MIGHT vote down everything else, including movies you've never even seen, so that you can boost Shawshank by default.

Secret Message, HERE!-->CONGRATULATIONS!!! You've discovered the Secret Message!

[–] deathbunny32 14 years ago

It's also seems to have a fairly progressive view towards black people than one would expect.

The payoff for slogging through an hour of boring is never worth it.

[–] valteena 11 years ago

shawshank redemption WAS overrated and maudlin..

[–] dga23 7 years ago

Very good - 8.5

"She let me go."
~White Oleander