Ox Bow Incident

Henry Fonda is quite good, as usual, in the closest thing the movie has to a main character, but it seems pointless to single him out in what is obviously such an ensemble effort, and in a movie that only lasts a mere 75 minutes or so and has such a large cast, each actor manages to color his/her character with delightful details, sometimes with no more than a single line of dialogue or one reaction shot.

"The Ox-Bow Incident" is a fantastic film. I don't think it's well-remembered now, but I'm thrilled to see it on DVD and hope that it will be rediscovered.

Grade: A


Transcending the Western genre   May 17, 2005
Brian Hulett (Oinklahoma)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

Sometimes Amazon's "Editorial Reviews" absolutely burn me up. Do these people even watch these films? The "one cowboy who tried to turn the mob aside" apparently refers to Fonda's character, who actually observes and doesn't get very involved, speaking aside to his friend and therefore serving as our narrator; there are actually other characters more directly involved with the events pictured here who try to stop the lynching, and in any event, NONE of these "ultimately prove" the innocence of the accused. Finally, Fonda made this film years after "The Grapes of Wrath," with "The Ox-Bow Incident" coming just before he entered the service in WWII; "My Darling Clementine" was his first release after the war. Sheesh.

But what you really want to know, those of you who haven't yet seen this film, is whether this classic holds up to its reputation and is fit for viewing today. The answers are yes and yes, absolutely. It's a simple little story but well told, based on true events that portray a miscarriage of justice in the American West. The story could just as easily have taken place in any time or place where people are tried in the court of public opinion and then take matters into their own hands. It happens in the cities of the world today, after all.

An America at war wasn't interested in seeing this downbeat film at that time, and I doubt if 20th Century Fox has yet retrieved its investment for having given the project the go-ahead. It eventually earned its reputation as public moods shifted, and is well worth a viewing. A cautionary tale for those (the majority?) of us who tend to shoot our mouths off regarding the actions of others when we know little about them. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread, and there were plenty of fools at the Ox Bow...but not enough angels.


The Ox-Bow Incident from the Beginning   February 17, 2003
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I first saw this movie in 1943 in Nebraska. In those days, some theatres would show "previews," or complete movies that had not yet been released in the area. Typically, these were shown following the last feature on Saturday night, which meant that it was close to midnight before the preview began which, in turn, meant that usually there were few people in the theatre. The Ox-Bow Incident is one of the most unrelievedly gloomy, brooding, threatening movies ever made. Try to imagine seeing this film for the first time, well after midnight in a small Nebraska town in an almost empty theatre, with the distinct feeling that what appeared on the screen could just as well be happening right outside the theatre. With the possible exception of The Third Man (also first seen as a preview), no movie has had as lasting an impact on me. The premise was not especially novel - a small town mob of hard cases, sluggards, and just plain cow pokes and townspeople set out to catch some cattle rustlers who killed a respected, at least in death, member of the community and avenge his murder. They rather quickly come upon the rancher's herd being driven by Dana Andrews, Anthony Quinn, and an older hand who seems not to be of sound mind. Andrews pleads their innocence with tears and begging that is almost painful to watch; Quinn spits defiance and scorn for his captors; and the senior citizen seems puzzled about what is happening. Henry Fonda and Henry (later Harry Morgan of "Mash" fame) Morgan, are two cow punchers who unfortunately drift into town along with word of the rustling and killing. They initially appear destined to be the forces of reason who will keep the mob under control. Arthur Davies, as a storekeeper who strongly believes in his religion and the constitution of his country, fervently pleads with what quickly has turned into a mob to do the Christian thing and to follow the strictures of the law. But it is evident that he has played a similar role too often with most of the members of the mob and has lost whatever effectiveness he might have had. To a degree, Fonda and Morgan try to back him, but as strangers themselves, they are not immune to suspicion so must tread warily. What would be a subplot if it bore less on the outcome of the film involves an attempt of a retired army officer to force his nearly grown son to "act like a man." His attempts have disastrous effects on the whole venture. The movie is faithful to the Walter Van Tilburg Clark book that is little more than a short story. The issue of how quickly a group of citizens can turn into an unthinking mob which is pivotal to this film was hardly new at the time. What makes the film strike you in the solar plexus like a horse's kick is the marvelous somber, dark, ominous atmosphere of the surroundings, from the interior of the bar to the outside, coupled with the powerful acting of the cast from top to bottom. There is not a weak link in the cast. Fonda is world-weary but still possessed of a sense of decency. He endeavors, perhaps with less than unbridled enthusiasm, to keep the mob from its intended action, but seems to convey that he knows he will not succeed. Morgan, is excellent in the sidekick role. Davies, Quinn, Andrews,and the rest all are excellent. On my list of best films, this one surely is in the top 10. It is a crying shame that it is not better known and more widely honored. Like some other reviewers, I wonder when a DVD will be made; one is long overdue.