The Ox-Bow Incident

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Alec B A searing and eternally relevant indictment of mob violence. The short running time ensures that not a single moment is wasted. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/10/24 Full Review Matthew B The Ox-Bow Incident is a western without any heroes. If you set the bar low enough, there are seven heroes, but they are no Magnificent Seven. In the louring and gloomy atmosphere of the lynch mob, the only heroism possible is to refuse to take part in it. There is no scope here for heroic rescues – only victims, culprits, and impotent observers whose objections must remain muted for fear that they might be lynched along with the suspects. Despite the presence of Fonda (a big name at the time after his appearance in The Grapes of Wrath), the film was made on a modest budget. It was filmed on studio backlots and sound stages. The range of settings is limited, and the backdrops are obviously painted, sometimes to poor effect. Consider the shots of characters leaving the saloon, for example. However the dark painted clouds on the external shots do add to the film's louring atmosphere. There is a cloud of ugliness hanging over the town caused by the presence of rustlers. The problem is worsened when they receive sketchy news suggesting that the rustlers have shot and killed a rancher called Larry Kinkaid. The facts have not been confirmed, but the townspeople immediately decide to send a posse after the rustlers. The posse is a lynch mob in all but name. A rope is shown often in the film – it is seen around Smith's neck, in the hands of others, and eventually shaped into the form of a noose. We are left in no doubt that the verdict of the mob has been decided in advance before they even set off. The presence of the rope adds to the sense of threat that helps to paralyse even the reasonable men who fear for their own safety if they speak out. Perhaps the most surprising thing about The Ox-Bow Incident is that it seems to foreshadow the environment of the 1950s when anti-Communist witch-hunts led to an environment of paranoia and suspicion, where innocent people suffered. The film anticipates later westerns such as High Noon and Johnny Guitar, where those themes would be played out in direct opposition to the injustices then being perpetrated in the name of McCarthyism. I am not sure that The Ox-Bow Incident would have been a bigger hit if it had been made in that decade. Indeed there is a possibility that it might not have been made at all. While the sombre content of The Ox-Bow Incident will probably never make it a popular movie, I cannot help thinking that it deserves a higher place in the name of great westerns. I wrote a longer appreciation of The Ox-Bow Incident on my blog page if you would like to read more: https://themoviescreenscene.wordpress.com/2018/11/10/the-ox-bow-incident-1943/ Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/05/23 Full Review Leaburn O Like a Western version of Paths of Glory in its tense portrayal of injustice. A brilliant, short Western that wastes no words or scenes. The note to the wife is obviously contrived for a Hollywood ending but it's poignant enough. A top film this one. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/28/23 Full Review david l When it comes to the western genre, I gravitate more toward films that favor story instead of action. Whenever classic western movies focused on important themes and historical authenticity instead of patriotism and spectacle, they turned out great. Case in point – The Ox-Bow Incident. This 1943 picture is minimalist and short, but it works because it's superbly acted, very well directed and beautifully shot, but above all else because it deals with some important themes, in particular focusing on the immense dangers of mob mentality. On a side note, it was the last film to ever be nominated for Best Picture and nothing else. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member It was confusing at parts keeping track of all the main characters. Other than that, it has a good message about American justice system. Why it is important to have an impartial jury and a real trial. However, I think we have overcorrected for past sins of killing innocent people in the past with mob fury. Many of the current laws seem to overprotect criminals and need to be changed liked having as many appeals as you want. Different from the typical old Western, but the Carter character is an early archetype of Clint Eastwood. A man who sticks up for the small person and has a devil may care jaded attitude but has romance trouble in his own life. The romance part seemed a lil bit unnecessary lol. It was fairly entertaining and not too long. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review Audience Member The Ox-Bow Incident efficiently explores the timeless dangers in group think and mob violence, while also subtly displaying a well rounded portrayal of toxic masculinity...and almost 80 years before Jane Campion's Power of the Dog made headlines for doing the same. Coming in at just 75 minutes this compact narrative is extremely economical with dialogue and action, and falls under what I've come to call the Joe Friday style of storytelling (just the facts). Don't let the length fool you though as Wellman's picture still packs a stronger punch than many far longer films, and may not have even managed to create the same effect with ancillary exposition. Henry Fonda has never disappointed me but Dana Andrews takes the MVP as the defacto spokesman for the trio of accused and his words probably created the most impactful moment of this film, which concluded with a well stuck landing. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews

The Ox-Bow Incident

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