The Ox-Bow Incident Movie Review

The Ox-Bow Incident (1943)

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Written by: Lamar Trotti (written for the screen by), Walter Van Tilburg Clark (from the novel by)
Directed by: William A. Wellman
Starring: Henry Fonda, Dana Andrews, Mary Beth Hughes 
Rated: --
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Plot
A posse is divided on how to carry out justice. Should the murderers get a trial or a lynching?

Verdict
A powerful theme that resonates even today. How do you react to a crime and what form does justice take? It's a well acted and short movie with a brisk pace.
Watch it.

Review
Western movies often focus on justice in an unlawful world. The sheriff is the one man to make the criminals answer for their crimes.
When a local farmer is shot and his cattle stolen, those eager to enforce justice form a posse. The sheriff it out of town and won't return in time to catch the transgressors. A judge allows the formation of the posses, but demands that the cattle rustlers be brought back to town for a trial. Some in the posse prefer a hanging straight away, but agree to the terms.

When the posse comes across three men who have the farmer's cattle, justice seems to be swift in arriving. It doesn't look good for the men in question, and they admit as much but plead for patience. Obviously they don't want any premature conclusions drawn despite possessing the farmer's cattle and pistol.

The Ox-Bow Incident - A crime has been committed and somebody has to pay.

With the facts of the situation, the blood lust of many in the party drive them to call for a lynching right away, assuming the men are guilty. While the understanding was that the posse would bring the culprits back, the best of intentions often go awry.
When one of the detainees attempts an escape, he fails and the dead farmer's pistol is found in his possession. This seals the fate of the remaining two prisoners. A vote is taken and the majority of the posse wants to lynch the men. Despite protests, the lynching occurs.

Just after the lynching the sheriff rides up and states the farmer isn't dead and he has caught the real culprits who attacked the farmer.