It is not just because of the racial overtones but it is a very good suspenseful movie. Enjoy!
shareAbsolutely. The overlooked Juano Hernandez is brilliant here.
Unfortunately, it's not on DVD yet and TCM doesn't air this very often. When it is played again, I hope people will have the opportunity to catch this powerful, unflinching drama.
"Watch me run a 50-yard dash with my legs cut off!"
I found it absolutely riveting from beginning to end. I can't believe this movie isn't more well known. It really should be.
shareHey folks,
Other than I would not go so far as to say it was a "great" film, I have to agree with all three folks who posted here.
Wtl471629 said it was a very good suspenseful film, and I certainly agree with that statement. I suppose there are many today who are more "action oriented" who might not like the film, but it was suspenseful to me and kept me watching.
csu16387 liked Juano Hernandez' performance as did I. It was also great fun to see Will Geer in his middle age. He looked quite a bit different than Grandpa Walton, but the voice was easy to recognize.
jpgr1 stated he found it riveting from beginning to end, and I would not disagree. However, compared to the fast paced films of today, I think most folks will appreciate this film a bit more if they are told to slow their internal clocks down to a slightly slower pace of 1949. He also noted his surprise the film is not more well known.
Well, I thought I had a more than fair degree of exposure to films over my lifetime, but I had never heard of this film until I just saw it on Turner Classic Movies. This is a film my parents would likely have taken me to see back then, but if they did, I no longer have any memory of seeing it in 1949.
In any case, I certainly enjoyed this film in 2013.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile
totally!!!! I saw it for the first time EVER yesterday. I was very impressed. LOVED it!!!!
shareThank-you for a perspective I never thought of. It's a basic story of old fashioned greed (I got that term from The Pelican Brief). I also liked the soundtrack. Happy music shrouding racism. I also liked the time of the reveal, night, where evils are done.
If we can save humanity, we become the caretakers of the world
First rate acting, writing and directing. Very bold movie for 1949. It worked as both a commentary on racism as well as a mystery.
shareI've seen this before and didn't realize it was along the lines of 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. I thought the story told, the characters involved and the ending made this a better story. Hard to believe it came 13 yrs before the other one. TKAM bored me. It always has.
MOJO2004