The Ox-Bow Incident

"THE OX-BOW INCIDENT" is a film based on an excellent book by Walter Van Tilburg Clark, which I am currently reading in my English III class. The movie is one of the best Westerns ever made, if not one of the greatest movies ever made. It is the terrifying story of two drifters caught up in the hanging of three innocent men accused of cattle rustling and murder. These two drifters, Gil Carter (Henry Fonda) and Art Croft (Harry Morgan) do not always get along, but they do stand up for each other. And that is what the movie is really about- not the shootouts or the fighting, but the character relationships. They come into the sleepy town of Bridger's Wells not looking for trouble, but for the activities of what everybody does when they come into town: eat, drink, play cards, fight, talk, or sleep. However, while in this town, they do stumble across something unusual- a rumor of a murder and cattle rustling. Nobody that reports on what has supposedly happened has one shred of proof, but alot of the townsmen and ranchers from the area (including the character referred to as "Ma", played by Jane Darwell) suddenly appear seemingly out of nowhere. They have not a thing to go on, but they are sure they have to do something. What follows is a lot of talk and speechifying, arguing and hard feelings. While this part of the story is a little slow in the book, the film keeps right on track. Eventually, they all set out to find the so-called murderers/rustlers, even though they do not have an idea of where they are going or what they are looking for. In the end, it all comes full circle for everyone involved, and the impending doom is undeniably haunting. However, the story is also very ironic in that they are finding justice for a murdered man and his stolen cattle, but they have assuredly done worse things in their own lives, not to mention that it is only in the end that they realize the horrors of what has occurred.SPECIAL FEATURES Theatrical Trailer A&E Biography: "Henry Fonda - Hollywood's Quiet Hero" Stills GalleryAlso Recommended: "JESSE JAMES" (1939), "THE GRAPES OF WRATH" (1940), "THE RETURN OF FRANK JAMES" (1940), "MY DARLING CLEMENTINE" (1946), "THE LONGEST DAY" (1962)THIS REVIEW IS DEDICATED TO ANYONE, LIVING OR DEAD, INVOLVED IN THE MAKING OF "THE OX-BOW INCIDENT".

Kino Lorber Studio Classics released on Blu-ray this 20th Century Fox Studios western film from 1943 directed by William A. Wellman that stars Henry Fonda and Harry Morgan as two wandering cowboys who come to a town on a day where a vigilante posse is formed to hunt down and hang the cattle rustlers who also murdered a well-liked local rancher, and aren't at all particular about finding out if the three accused men are innocent or guilty...Looking splendid in a 4K restoration, a fine upgrade from the 2003 Fox Studios DVD that ports over those extras, though nothing new was added. Memorable film may be dramatically obvious but is still an effective statement against lynch mobs and lawlessness.

Like many old movies it does not hold up very well despite the powerful message at its core. The high point of the movie is the very forceful letter read by Henry Fonda's character. The movie is an earnest meditation on the need for calm and even application of neutral rules of law in the face of the irrational and emotional mob. Still relevant and always will be.

All I can Say is a great movie with a great cast Henry Fonda, Dana Andrews, Anthony Quinn and Henry Morgan.Even though the movie is in Black and white it adds to the story which is about right and wrong and quick judgments. A rancher is murdered by cattle thefts and a the towns people decide to take law into their own hands.What makes this great is it is all acting and takes place in one scene, no chases or shoot outs just emotions and differences between the characters. This movie is in the same category as 12 Angry Men another classic with just acting. The characters are all different which makes for a better story and adds to the answer how people act in a situation where a three mens lives are on the line to live or to be hung from a tree.

The Ox-Bow Incident is a 1943 American western film directed by William A. Wellman, starring Henry Fonda, Dana Andrews and Mary Beth Hughes, with Anthony Quinn, William Eythe, Harry Morgan and Jane Darwell.I first saw this movie on commercial TV with my Mom and even with the commercials it kept up it's intensity, in fact it got so intense that the commercials were actually a relief in the tension. The story is of the kangaroo trial of three men accused of cattle rustling and murder and the mob that is accusing them and wanting to hang them.

I was very impressed by this film. I read how it was one of Clint Eastwood's favorites and other stars had given it high praise and being a fan of Westerns, I thought I would check it out and I am glad I did.The premise is simple. Two cowboys ride into a little town and learn that a rancher has been murdered and they are asked to join up with the posse to go after the murderers. As they do so, however, it seems that some of the posse might be too fixated on revenge to think with any kind of reason.This is a short movie at just over an hour, and wastes no time in delivering some excellent drama and intrigue. This is one that I link a bit to Hang 'Em High for the simple fact that a group amasses to string up those who may or may not be guilty. Perhaps there was some influence there.If you enjoy Westerns, I really don't see how you can wrong here. Plus, there is an excellent documentary on the life and career of Henry Fonda. Enjoy!

It was a movie! I watched it.

This movie has outstanding actors with heart-felt performances. This is a classic with universal themes: no one is above the law; taking the law into one's own hands hurts all involved; the danger of rush to judgement: mobs are destructive to all in their wake.

William Wellman’s 1943 classic Western is one of those rare films you (or, at least, I) actually wish lasted longer, being billed on the marvellous 2016 Arrow 4K digital restoration as running to a mere 75 minutes (though actually only 72!). That said, as it is, it is a near perfectly-formed, claustrophobic, noir-like, ensemble character-driven piece of drama that bears as much resemblance to that other classic tale of American justice with Henry Fonda at the centre, Sidney Lumet’s 12 Angry Men, as it is does to the more conventional 'action-packed’ Westerns of the era (indeed, Wellman’s film is often touted as one of the first Revisionist Westerns). Perhaps equally surprising is the fact that Wellman was at the helm, his name not being one that immediately springs to mind for the genre, but the film-maker maximises the potential of what is an excellent extended cast of character actors, driven along by Lamar Trotti’s sharp, mostly dark, script and the highly evocative (particularly night-time) black-and-white cinematography of Arthur Miller (again, not someone particularly associated with Westerns or noir, but Miller did start shooting another claustrophobic drama the following year, Hitchcock’s Lifeboat, until being forced to withdraw from the film through illness).Wellman’s film is very much a film of two halves. Although the second half, with its tense, drawn-out, night-time 'judgement’ sequence is undoubtedly the more compelling of the two 'sections’, the film’s initial set-up is also key, as we’re introduced to the dozen or so main characters. As we learn that a popular local rancher has (apparently) been killed by cattle-rustlers, 'mob mentality’ takes over, with only a handful of locals acting as the restraining force to the loudest, most macho, voices calling for the tracking down and lynching of the culprits without trial. In the latter camp, Paul Hurst is particularly good as the inhuman, darkly comic Monty Smith, whilst Harry Davenport is excellent as the prevailing voice of justice, Arthur Davies. Less polarised are Fonda’s reflective, but essentially fair-minded, cattle-man, Gil Carter, and Frank Conroy’s duplicitous, 'lapsed confederate’, Major Tetley, who assumes 'command’ of the motley crew. One of the few criticisms I would have of the film is that one or two of Wellman’s characters almost border on caricature, but any such reservations are largely forgotten as the posse apprehend their trio of culprits’, who include Dana Andrews’ family man, Donald Martin, and Anthony Quinn’s ‘Mexican’ Juan. The following night-time ‘judgement sequence’ is brilliantly done – uncompromising (particularly for Hollywood at the time), suspenseful and emotive, as the Major calls for a vote (à la 12 Angry Men) of the group as to the trio’s guilt (or otherwise). Miller’s noir-like work here is particularly impressive, slow pans across the group, intimate close-ups, luminous moonlight and memorable framing of horses, nooses and a lone tree. As something of an aside, the film’s other ‘curiosity’ is the headline billing of Mary Beth Hughes as Carter’s ex, Rose, all for a 10-minute ‘cameo’ (merely emphasising the lack of women here).Thematically, the anti-capital punishment message is the most obvious, with the racism (Quinn’s character, ‘He doesn’t speak English’) and KKK angle also topical, but the film’s depiction of mob coercion also has applicability to WW2 and the Nazis (and even the later McCarthyism). Certainly, Wellman’s film is an outstanding, thought-provoking drama and a fine, influential example of the genre.The Arrow DVD includes an introduction to the film by film academic Peter Stanfield, commentaries by American West historian Dick Etulain, William Wellman Jr. and Stanfield, a 45-minute documentary on Henry Fonda and a 20-page booklet on the film (all excellent).

A local rancher seems to have been robbed and murdered by a bunch of rustlers. A posse goes to track them down with tragic results. Unusual western showing the frailty of human nature. Good cast with Henry Fonda, Anthony Quinn and Dana Andrews. But it is Fonda with his first worthwhile role since "The Grapes of Wrath" who gives the classic performance of the cowboy with a conscience.Highly recommended.In the extras section there is an excellent biography of Fonda dealing with his career and family right up to his final film, "On Golden Pond".

I think this movie is really well done and one of the commentators states that this is a western-noir, I agree. The posse members are possibly good people but when they are together and led by rage...Henry Fonda's performance is very touching in the end and I appreciate Dana Andrews' characterization. Five stars also because of the fabulous documentary about Fonda.

One of the most thought provoking and best westerns of all time. How ordinary people can be changed and swept along under the fury of mob rule. Once the adrenalin rush is coursing through the mobs veins all they want to do is hang somebody, saves having a trial. Unfortunately there are consequences for their actions. Once again Henry Fonda is Terrific in the role, but Dana Andrews gives one of the best, if not the best performances of his career. 5 stars without a doubt.

A classic noir western, beautiful settings and superb performances.Just shows you can make a classic western without dragging on for 3hrs.Nice presentation from Arrow films, keep it up Arrow.