I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang

1932

1h 32m

IMDb RATING

7.8/10

219

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35 Images

Drama

Crime

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.

Directors

Mervyn LeRoy

Writers

Robert E. Burns(story by)

Howard J. Green(screenplay by)

Brown Holmes(screenplay by)

Stars

Paul Muni

Glenda Farrell

Helen Vinson

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Videos1

Trailer
Watch I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang - Trailer

Photos35

Top cast

James Allen

Marie Woods

Helen

Linda

Pete

Barney Sykes

The Judge

Bomber Wells

The Warden

Rev. Allen

Alice

Mother

Sebastian T. Yale - Strong Prisoner

Willard Robertson

Prison Board Chairman

F.E. Ramsey

Fuller

A Texan

Train Conductor (uncredited)

Directors

Mervyn LeRoy

Writers

Robert E. Burns(story by)

Howard J. Green(screenplay by)

Brown Holmes(screenplay by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

User reviews1

Review

Featured review

10/10

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), law suits followed and Robert Elliot Burns himself was constantly pursued by the authorities despite the state being privy to the actual facts of his case. I wont be boorish with the details as it is well documented across the net and those who haven't seen the film really need to address that issue. This picture strips it down to a primal story that begs a viewing from anyone interested in the genre - or actually for those interested in brilliant cinema from a golden era - period! 10/10

John Chard11 Feb, 2020