Not much impact nowadays, worth watching for Paul Muni though.

Fairly entertaining, and a good deal less dated than one would have expected. Many a prison movie trope is founded here. The pacing is fast, and Muni gives it his all. What really sells it - it being a message movie, after all - is the strong end scene.

I'm getting to the age where I really hate violence and cruelty in movies, but this was more focused on the problems caused by violent treatment of inmates rather than the violence itself.

Surprisingly enough, this one's just as brutal and entertaining as Cool Hand Luke. Muni is fantastic and the last scene is a real killer.

Incredible movie that's entertaining and thought-provoking. It also stood the test of time really well. The film shows how horrific it was to be in a chain gang and it raises many questions about justice. It also contains many suspenseful scenes, like the escape attempts. The film is very fast-paced, Paul Muni's acting is great, and there are some neat editing tricks. The ending will probably haunt me for a long time. I really enjoyed this film and I was glued to the screen the entire time.

One of the most impressive films I have ever seen. It is utterly incredible that this was made around the same time as Tod Browning's Dracula and James Whale's Frankenstein. A timeless classic.

"The prison scenes are blatantly manipulative-and effective-but Fugitive really takes off during an intense escape sequence." - Jeremiah Kipp

Excellent.

# 737

One of the best of the "social conscience" movies made in this era. Fast-paced, exciting, grim, and great performance by Paul Muni

Not very distinctive in terms of acting or directing or cinematography, but a solid story that exposes some serious social ills. The final exchange of dialogue is a real gem.

This film gave me non stop entertainment, and some incredibly good messages. Paul Muni gives a wonderful performances, changing from war hero, to prisoner, to fugitive, to a successful worker, and finally, what he never was, a criminal. I found myself deeply sympathetic of Paul Muni's chracter, and all his troubles. I am deeply greatful for watching this film, for I have not been moved like that in a very long time.

Excellent film, especially during the chain gang scenes. It's seminal qualities are evident in these scenes, especially the prisoner fleeing from the bloodhounds and social conscience angle that the film takes (a fact made more poignant when we realize it had political ramifications in Georgia). Muni's performance was excellent as always, making him maybe the most underrated star of the 30s. LeRoy's camera is especially good in the prison house, and of course, in that final, creepy scene.

773

Echoes of this movie can be heard in dozens of prison pictures that have been made down the years.

Horrifying story in the semi-documentary manner; a milestone in Hollywood history and still a fairly compelling piece of shock entertainment.

An incredibly compelling film about the rural prison system. Muni creates a really sympathetic character which makes the film very effective in delivering its message.