The Fugitive (1947 film)

The Fugitive is a 1947 drama film starring Henry Fonda and directed by John Ford, based on the novel The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene. The film was shot on location in Mexico, and utilised the skills of Mexican cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa.

Tag Gallagher has written an extended discussion of the film in his book, John Ford The Man and His Films 1986. He summarizes The Fugitive and its place in Fords career as follows ... once in Mexico, Ford jettisoned most of the script and, giving leave to his fancy, made a highly abstract art film. The Fugitive lost considerable money, caused a rift between writer Dudley Nichols and Ford, and has posed problems even for Fords most devoted followers. Only the director himself consistently defended it. I just enjoy looking at it. To me, it was perfect. And in terms of composition, lighting and editing, The Fugitive may be among the most enjoyable pictures.Bret Wood has written, Ford is best remembered today for his boisterous adventure films, such as The Quiet Man 1952, The Searchers 1956 or She Wore a Yellow Ribbon 1949 and for his crusty, unpretentious demeanor, often denying the existence of thematic subtext in his work and refusing to discuss his artistic intentions as a director. But The Fugitive belongs to an earlier, lesser known faction of his work, selfconsciously arty films that demonstrated his interests in German expressionism, English literature and religious ideology. Films such as The Informer 1935, The Prisoner of Shark Island 1936 or The Long Voyage Home 1940, remind us that beneath Fords growling machismo were a sophisticated mind and a brilliant visual sense, even though Ford was later to deny both gifts I make Westerns is how he typically summarized his career. The Fugitive is perhaps Fords last great art film, a highminded show of faith, a lovingly crafted paean to his own Catholicism. ........

Source: Wikipedia