Why rated so low? - The Fugitive (1948) Discussion

[–] Tessie2004 17 years ago

This film is truly brilliant, but the religious theme obviously doesn't sit well with some people. Might be my fave film of the 40's.

"Tessie" is the Royal Rooters rally cry.
"Tessie" is the tune they always sung.

reply

[–] laurence_dang 16 years ago

It is true that, sadly, very few people appeciate heavily religious movies. Of course others might criticize the fact that movie deviated so far from Graham Greene's novel. Another problem is that few people have seen it and that its theme is relatively dark.

This is a visual masterpiece and wonderfully acted and directed. I gave it my highest marks.

reply

[–] redskydown-1 16 years ago

I just now stopped watching the thing. About 20 minutes to finish. I got
bored and just couldn't relate to any of it: the characters, the events,
the context (place & time). Nothing. Though the movie's intend was
good, it just came out flat for me.

"Many troubled things have been in my life, a few actually happened."
---Mark Twain

reply

[–] musicbytes 16 years ago

I give it a perfect 10 but I wouldn't watch it again because it was upsetting as it's meant to be, I prefer happier films but the movie was brilliantly directed and beautifully photographed. Peace and Hugs to all.

reply

[–] alphatwin2002 14 years ago

I agree with you 100%. It's a masterpiece. It's a departure from Ford's usual film style. It's a work of art, not a popcorn movie. It was a labor of love.

reply

[–] BKinzeys 14 years ago

The symbolism is heavy handed and the acting is over the top. Subtlety is not a part of this movie. The whole movie was turned up to 11 to me. I gave it a 4.

reply

[–] simonrosenbaum 13 years ago

Even compared to films made at the same time this seemed from a different time almost like a silent film with its gothic dark imagery and heavy handed score.
I'm a big fan of films from the 30's and 40's and I think Fonda was easily the best actor of his generation but this one left me cold.

reply

[–] FANatic-10 10 years ago

In its look, this film reminded me a lot of Ford's "The Informer" (transposed to Latin America, of course). It was beautifully filmed, obviously heartfelt and sincere. I feel it was just probably too heavy-going for the average viewer to appreciate. Big box office this was never going to be! Fonda faced a big hurdle in making a convincing Latino, but given that, the role otherwise fit him well. I gather the film considerably simplified Graham Green's "The Power and the Glory" - I'll have to hunt it down now and read it.

reply

[–] Moscoso1967 10 years ago

The symbolism is heavy handed and the acting is over the top. Subtlety is not a part of this movie. The whole movie was turned up to 11 to me. I gave it a 4.

Exactly my thoughts as well and even the same rating!

Someone has mentioned "The Informer" though it's similar in style, I think it's a much better movie, with much better pacing, better performances (though I usually like Fonda) and better story. This one unfortunately has "made in god-bearing USA" and "anti-Communism" written all over it; it's clearly a work of early McCarthyism. It's just too black and white in every aspect while "The Informer" is more complex.

reply

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ridge-m-1 8 years ago

Why is this Ford masterpiece rated so low? Because this is art and your typically young individual with low to average intelligence is doing the ratings on this site. Let them watch their CGI and stay away from serious pictures.

reply