Six sticks of dynamite that blasted his way to freedom … and awoke America’s conscience!
A World War I veteran’s dreams of becoming a master architect evaporate in the cold light of economic realities. Things get even worse when he’s falsely convicted of a crime and sent to work on a chain gang.
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Character
Earnest, grave, classical in form and overwhelming.
- earnestironic
- gravecomic
- classical in formformally daring
- cooloverwhelming
- warmbleak
Who loves it, who doesn't
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“Is I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang better than Little Caesar?”
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“Is I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang emotionally manipulative?”
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“Is I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang a masterpiece, not merely a very good film?”
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Reviews on TMDB
Written by TMDB members; each links to the original. Not part of Tastebuds's numbers.
- John Chardon TMDB · Feb 202010/10
Masterpiece that keeps influencing as much as it enthrals. Being a man who has a very unhealthy penchant for any film that deals with incarceration, it is with great elation that I can proudly proclaim this to be one of the greatest films of the genre. I had to finally give way and import the film on Region 1 to see what I was missing, boy was it joyous to see how this film has influenced some of my favourite film's of all time. This is one tough movie, it pulls no punches and the only surprise is that it was made in 1932, that the film is a grizzled masterpiece is down to the astute direction of Mervyn LeRoy and a quite brilliant performance from Paul Muni in the lead role of James Allen. Based on the real life writings of Robert Elliot Burns, the film is a harsh kick in the guts about the brutal penal system that existed when most of us were mere glints in our Father's eyes. It is part of a Warner Brothers controversial classic's box set that is available on Region 1, and its place on any controversial classic list is worthy. The film had major impact on reviews of the penal system, it caused uproar in Georgia (the film never mentions Georgia, but they knew it was about them), la
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Cast
- Paul MuniJames Allen
- Glenda FarrellMarie Woods
- Helen VinsonHelen
- Noel FrancisLinda
- Preston FosterPete
- Allen JenkinsBarney Sykes
- Berton ChurchillThe Judge
- Edward EllisBomber Wells
- David LandauThe Warden
- Hale HamiltonRev. Allen
Crew
- Mervyn LeRoyDirector
- Howard J. GreenScreenplay
- Sheridan GibneyScreenplay
- Brown HolmesScreenplay
- Sol PolitoDirector of Photography
- Bernhard KaunOriginal Music Composer
- Leo F. ForbsteinOriginal Music Composer
- William HolmesEditor
- Hal B. WallisProducer
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Pairings
Companions we picked from the closest works, and how to take them.
Similar in taste
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Missing 198285% alikeBoth grave, earnest, classical in form.
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Midnight Express 197884% alikeBoth grave, earnest, classical in form.
Changeling 200882% alikeBoth earnest, grave, classical in form.
In the Name of the Father 199382% alikeBoth earnest, grave, classical in form.
The Normal Heart 201482% alikeBoth earnest, grave, classical in form.
Deliverance 197280% alikeBoth earnest, grave, classical in form.
10 Rillington Place 197180% alikeBoth grave, earnest, classical in form.
The Alienist 201874% alikeTelevision · Both earnest, grave, classical in form.
The Knick 201473% alikeTelevision · Both earnest, grave, classical in form.
Often watched with
Recommendations from TMDB. Opening one adds it to Tastebuds
