The Ox-Bow Incident (1943)
Runtime: 80 mins
Synopsis: Taking place in 1885 Nevada, THE OX-BOW INCIDENT is the harrowing story of two cowboys, Gil Carter (Henry Fonda) and Art Croft (Harry Morgan), who believe in justice and honor and attempt to quell a lynch mob's thirst for revenge when they believe that a cattleman has been murdered by rustlers.... Taking place in 1885 Nevada, THE OX-BOW INCIDENT is the harrowing story of two cowboys, Gil Carter (Henry Fonda) and Art Croft (Harry Morgan), who believe in justice and honor and attempt to quell a lynch mob's thirst for revenge when they believe that a cattleman has been murdered by rustlers. Based tightly on the best-selling book by Walter Van Tilburg Clark and directed by William Wellman, THE OX-BOW INCIDENT is an unforgettable film; don't miss the powerful scene in which Anthony Quinn performs surgery on himself--it is an amazing moment in a brilliant film that received a well-deserved Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. [More]
Genre: Westerns
Starring: Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell, Anthony Quinn, Dana Andrews, Harry Morgan
Producer: Lamar Trotti
Screenwriter: Lamar Trotti
Composer: Cyril J. Mockridge
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Reviews
One of the first and best probes of mob lynch, Wellman's grim, noirish, uncompromising expose was critically acclaimed but failed with the audience, perhaps because it was released in the midst of WWII, when viewers wanted more escapist entertainment
In contrast to the familiar Western device of the hero obliged to take the law into his own hands a grim, messy cautionary tale about vigilante justice and mob rule.
Were it not for the horses, the script as filmed could easily be performed on the stage as a three-act play.
Movies dealing with law and order rarely fall out of fashion simply because their themes remain forever relevant. This classic Western is no exception.
...the movie suggests we had better look to doing the right and decent thing before we act on a majority decision made in the heat of the moment.
It should tell you something that this was among Orson Welles' favourite films
Packs a pretty incredible emotional punch in its brief 75 minutes.


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