The Ox-Bow Incident

1943

1h 16m

IMDb RATING

7.7/10

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Western

Drama

A posse discovers a trio of men they suspect of murder and cow theft and are split between handing them over to the law or lynching them on the spot.

Directors

William A. Wellman

Writers

Lamar Trotti(screenplay by)

Walter Van Tilburg Clark(novel by)

Stars

Henry Fonda

Dana Andrews

Mary Beth Hughes

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Top cast

Gil Carter

Donald Martin

Rose Mapen…

Juan Martínez…

Gerald Tetley

Art Croft

Ma Grier

Judge Daniel Tyler

Arthur Davies

Maj. Tetley

Jeff Farnley

Monty Smith

Darby

Poncho

Sheriff Risley

Joyce

Posse Member (uncredited)

Stanley Andrews

Bartlett (uncredited)

Directors

William A. Wellman

Writers

Lamar Trotti(screenplay by)

Walter Van Tilburg Clark(novel by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

When "Larry Kincaid" is shot, the townsfolk rise up and decide to pursue the killers. Led by Confederate officer "Tetley" (Frank Conroy) they alight on three folks in the wilderness moving some cattle. It seems that these three had recently been with "Kincaid" and so a kangaroo court is duly assembled with a view to lynching them. William Wellman now develops one of the most tautly presented half hours of cinema I've ever seen. The posse have no evidence, but will they be persuaded by the protestations of innocence from "Martin" (Dana Andrews) and his companions, including Anthony Quinn's "Martinez"? The tension is palpable as old man "Davies" (Harry Davenport) tries to be the voice of reason and "Art" (Harry Morgan) and "Carter" (Henry Fonda) wrestle, too, with their consciences. It's a shocking indictment of mob justice, and the dialogue and overall look of the film really build well as what seems inevitable edges nearer and nearer. The ending has a twist that provides food for thought for all concerned (including the audience) and has something of the "Forgive them father..." about it, too. Fonda takes top billing, but Conroy's performance is probably the most enthralling - brutality in a finely tailored uniform.

Geronimo196704 Apr, 2022