Year of Release: 1932Country of Origin: USA
Director: Mervyn LeRoy
Cast: Paul Muni, Glenda Farrell, Helen Vinson, Preston Foster
Plot outline: Wrongly convicted James Allen serves in the intolerable conditions of a southern chain gang, which later comes back to haunt him (IMDb).
Released over seventy years ago, I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang still holds true today. Based on the autobiography of Robert E. Burns, who ended up on a chain gang after he stole less than $6 so that he could eat, tells the story of a miscarriage of justice. If you believe that the justice system is infallible, or perhaps good enough (when it's being tested on someone else), what if you are the one who falls victim to the glitch in the system? Paul Muni gives a stirring (Oscar nominated) performance as James Allen, capturing all of the confusion, despair, pain and anguish of his inexplicable situation. One scene that stands out is when he is awaken by one of the guards to be told that his pardon has been overruled and that he will have to serve out his original ten-year sentence. Unshaved and dirty, he stares into the camera with tears slowly running through his eyes with the expression of disgust and betrayal, making fists with his hands before resting down his head on the pillow. But the most memorable scene is the ending scene where he finds himself chained for life as a fugitive and he is forced to descend into the darkness: (Helen) "How do you live? " (James) "I steal." ... and then the end credits roll, leaving you gasping "My god, what will happen to him now?" You'll never forget his final words.
My judgement: *** out of 4 stars
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