The Fugitive (1948)
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86% of critics liked it
(7 reviews) -
73% of users liked it
(524 ratings)
The Fugitive was shot on location in Mexico by that country's premiere cinematographer, Gabriel Figueroa. Henry Fonda plays a Christ-like priest in an unnamed Latin-American country where religion has been outlawed. Though incognito in a backwater village, Fonda cannot help but seem more… More The Fugitive was shot on location in Mexico by that country's premiere cinematographer, Gabriel Figueroa. Henry Fonda plays a Christ-like priest in an unnamed Latin-American country where religion has been outlawed. Though incognito in a backwater village, Fonda cannot help but seem more spiritual and mystical than those around him. Meanwhile, another fugitive, homicidal-bandit Ward Bond, stumbles into the village. Bond and the beautiful Dolores del Rio, whose illegitimate child has been secretly baptized by Fonda, conspire to help the priest escape. Once Fonda is on safe ground, he is implored by police spy J. Carroll Naish to return to the village, ostensibly because Bond is dying and wishes to have last rites. Fonda is captured and sentenced to death, but is willing to forgive the repentant Naish for betraying him. The priest dies a martyr, and the outpouring of public grief proves to the authorities that simply outlawing religion will never subjugate the hearts and minds of the people. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- John Ford
- Written By
- Dudley Nichols
- Genres
- Drama
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Nov 3, 1947 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
John Ford's The Fugitive is as beautiful a film as was ever lensed.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
John Ford has made a moody, grim film out of Greene's novel, feature a strong performance by Henry Fonda.
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Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Unusual, rarely seen John Ford minor classic with Fonda.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Turgid, slow moving, lacking in dramatic tension, too grating and simplistic in its obvious religious symbols, and losing its moral urgency from the novel.
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Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide
John Ford’s underrated adaptation of Catholic novelist Graham Greene's masterpiece The Power and the Glory… softens and conventionalizes Greene's difficult parable, but still packs spiritual punch.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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Henry Fonda
as The Fugitive
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Dolores Del Rio
as Mexican Woman
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Pedro Armendáriz
as Police Lieutenant
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J. Carrol Naish
as Police Informer
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Leo Carrillo
as Chief of Police
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Robert Armstrong
as Police Sergeant
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Ward Bond
as El Gringo
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John Qualen
as Doctor
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Fortunio Bonanova
as Governor's Cousin
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Chris-Pin Martin
as Organ Player
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Miguel Inclan
as Hostage
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Fernando Fernandez
as Singer
- Mel Ferrer
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José Torvay
as Mexican
