The Fugitive -- What Makes This Movie Great? (Episode 150)

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Disclaimer: All reasonable comments are welcome, including reasoned disagreements. You will be banned for foolish talk, harassment, and hate speech on sight; it's a tremendous waste of life. I believe in freedom of association and, by extension, freedom of dissociation from you.

[@Morphed626]

Great thriller for sure. Really holds up still and it’s a great nostalgic watch for me.

[@beechnut8779]

The best part of the movie is the fact that we can root for both Harrison Ford AND Tommy Lee Jones - can't think of another chase type movie where you really like both the hunted and the hunter almost equally. That gave a lot of depth to these characters. The fact that they end up on the same side at the end is very satisfying.

[@momojojokoko]

Michael Mann's Heat also works that way. As does Sam Peckinpah's Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid, to some extent. There is often at least one sympathetic individual within the group hunting down the protagonist, in Chase movies, come to think of it. From the scientist in John Carpenter's Starman to the underling in the Jason Bourne trilogy. (Even E.T. has Peter Coyote). But these usually let the heroes go at some point. Whereas here, Tommy Lee Jones, without ever becoming antagonistic, is still completely relentless.

[@momojojokoko]

In No Country for Old Men, Tommy Lee Jones does it again, though he's "outmatched" in that one, and arguably the protagonist.

[@AvoozlPlays]

This movie is 30 years old this year, crazy!

[@richardmcleod1930]

The early 1960's television show of "The Fugitive" with David Janssen will always be the tops for this story of Dr. Richard Kimball. Every weekly episode was eagerly watched by the American public. No episode was ever missed, in looking for the "one armed man" and this lasted much longer than the time allotted for the movie.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@richardmcleod1930]

@@LearningaboutMovies When """"The Fugitive" television show aired, few people missed each episode. In fact, the show was anticipated each weekly interval. I was surprised you didn't give the television show much time, as it was way more popular and probably watched more than is the case with the movie. Maybe, because the television show was not in color?

[@GedMaheux]

The fugitive is indeed one of the best thriller movies and one of my personal favorites. You go over a lot of the things that make it great including the pacing the acting the ability to root for BOTH of the main characters which I absolutely love. Some thing else you don’t touch on that is also a favorite of mine in the movie is the symbolism. All throughout the entire film Harrison Ford uses his right arm to “save himself“ and it’s just great once you pick up on it. A really subtle nod to the one-armed man and his redemption. So much to love in this film thanks for covering it.

[@flightofthebumblebee9529]

In a nutshell? Everything. This film is amazing from the opening titles and leaves you watching the end credits all the way thru even until the fireworks after the credits. Easily in my top 20 films ever made.

[@sabster79]

One of my favorite movies ever because it was one of those rare Action movies that’s character driven. Tommy deserved the Oscar he won for this film.

[@flightofthebumblebee9529]

As subtle as Ford was in this, I think it's his best performance ever. His breakdown during the interrogation scene was soooo gripping and his humanity and subtly was perfect opposite Gerrard's deadpan US Marshal. Kimble goes out of his way to help people several times even when risking exposure or even death. The Marshals go from being Kimble's aggressors to his protectors at the end when Chicago PD want him dead. The ending is perfect and while Richard will likely be exonerated, the fight is far from over.

[@sabster79]

@@flightofthebumblebee9529 you know what you’re right - (as amazing as he was in Regarding Henry), This is Harrison’s best performance.

[@flightofthebumblebee9529]

@@sabster79 I watched regarding Henry free on YT like 2 months ago I forgot how sweet and heartwarming it was.

[@sabster79]

😊. Now I’m rewatching The Fugitive tonight and will bask in the sunshine of a good movie 😂. The sequel is pretty good too.

[@robertmatthews6649]

i watched this movie with my grandma 😢 RIP my angel 🕊

[@bandman83]

Ford: "I didn't kill my wife." Lee Jones: "I don't care!" Classic! 😅😂😂😂

[@VFRZen]

The plot, especially how the bad faith actors in the Pharma company, was pretty smart and plausible. David Twohy can write. This film is essentially a perfect genre film.

[@petevaldezbc1]

The movie hit all the character beats from the source material, that is the 60s TV show

[@momojojokoko]

I've never understood what the secret ingredient was in this film. Usually when a mainstream popcorn movie is that good there is a logical reason. Typically someone with a vision constituting and leading an outstanding creative team. Usually the director, and/or screenwriter; producer; editor; cinematographer; etc, involved has an impressive back catalogue or is someone who went on to make masterpieces. In the case of this, without wanting to take away from the merit of everyone involved, I can't quite put my finger on anyone whose creative input could explain the stellar plot structure, pacing, casting, acting, dialogue, cinematography, mise en scene, etc. Is it director Andrew Davis? Is it producer Arnold Kopelson? Is it co-screenwriter Jeb Stuart? Is it all of the above? Is it someone else? Why the Hell is this movie so good, and who is responsible?

[@flightofthebumblebee9529]

The performances, the story, the practical effects, the pacing, the humanity (even a monster like Copeland decides to go out of his way to help Kimble his fellow inmate), and the humor (used perfectly sparingly). The ending is absolutely perfect when Gerrard makes a show out of bringing Kimble into custody, then gets in the back seat with him and removes his cuffs. This simple display shows the media and everyone watching that they got their fugitive and they also firmly believe he was wrongfully accused.

[@sabster79]

It’s lightening in a bottle. They focused on telling a gripping story with likable characters.

[@christbianchi]

I enjoyed this one! I also enjoyed him in the "The Witness" 1985

[@CcJjGg_]

Still have my vhs copy lol. Got when I was probably 11 years old. Crazy how I could watch a movie over and over once I found something I liked. I remember watching with my dad and the scene where he jumps down the waterfall , he let me know really quick that was BS

[@patrickkelly5004]

The TV series ran when I was a kid, and wasn't in my Father's tastes for viewing, so I never saw it. A film version appeals to me more, and this review gives me inspiration.

[@petevaldezbc1]

Ya gotta watch the show! It's classic television and way ahead of its time

[@jimwoodswrites]

Such a fun movie. Like you said, great editing!!

[@janetmueller9195]

This is one of my all-time favorite movies!

[@Gundam4]

What's so great about this movie is of course everything like everybody says. We see Tommy Lee Jones's character Samuel Gerrard go from a Captain Ahab Style SOB to a Lawman aiding an innocent man inadvertently while trying to catch him

[@sorin-3510]

The Fugitive is a great movie. Tommy Lee Jones and Harrison Ford did an amazing job, but I still think Ralph Fiennes should've won the Oscar.

[@dajmos6969]

Which one was that?

[@donjames7647]

I Love US Marshals , the sequel to the the fugitive . It is very underrated and much better then the fugitive , the story and the action scenes are amazing , the chase in the jungle , the jump on the train .US marshals is fun action movie , you should check it out and review it

[@sabster79]

Great sequel

[@thecountofmontecristo2796]

"You switched the samples!"

[@melijomides7317]

GREAT MOVIE!

[@aravindvr6835]

Love this Movie it's one of the best thriller.

[@blockmasterscott]

I like the pacing of the plot. Wasn’t too fast or dragging on with unnecessary dialogue.

[@zubairaziz3390]

The Fugitive is indeed a great movie, my favorite Harrison Ford film that it outside of Star Wars and Indiana Jones.

[@momojojokoko]

Frantic is another great Harrison Ford thriller. Set in 1980s Paris. Very convincingly, I might add.

[@clumsydad7158]

@@momojojokoko add Mosquito Coast !

[@momojojokoko]

And let's not forget Peter Weir's Witness... But my favorite movie of his he wasn't in - because the studio didn't think he was charismatic enough so they insisted Garry Lockwood get the part - was 1969's Model Shop. It would have been his first starring role by a mile. French director Jacques Demi, and his wife (also a filmmaker) Agnès Varda, had met with him, in the late 60s, immediately seeing his potential, and even shot some screen tests. The movie's great but would have been that much better with a very young Ford in the lead. Lockwood was too old for the part, and let's face it, he's no Harrison Ford. Had that casting choice been allowed to stand, his career might have taken off much sooner. There's no telling what other great 70s movies he might have been in. Another case of the meddling studios getting it oh so very wrong.

[@Hen2006]

A sci fi version of this movie would be Minority Report.

[@alexandergilson8046]

Watched this one last night and thought it was really good! My favorite scene is when he saves the young boy in the hospital. But to me some of the big action set pieces kinda took me out of the film. Maybe I'm more used to arthouse cinema so when that train derailment happened I was like "that escalated quickly!"

[@DOI_ARTS]

Because Harisson Ford movies are thinking man movies not hating on other actors but his movies always made me think deep or involve me in the story.

[@aravindvr6835]

What are you thoughts about Frantic ?

[@joelyoung3092]

Brilliant!! One Fords best including Witness and Indy

[@joelyoung3092]

and Fugitive!

[@clumsydad7158]

a great Roman Polanski movie ... if you like that, you should see The Ghostwriter as well

[@n_n_n_n_n_n]

The "I don't care" line had a more poignant undertone for me when I re watched this most recently, revealing Tommy Lee Jone's character to be a bit of a stooge, even though he is clearly a talented leader amongst his own team. It's still a very funny line, but it can reveal something a bit dark if you think about it too much. I agree with your assessment, that it's nearly perfect for what it is, it's a great thriller and it doesn't need to be more than that.

[@sannakarppinen4163]

This movie is great, because this is based on a true story. 1950-60 there was a murder case of a Doctor Simon Shepard who was accused of killing his wife and this investigative journalist named Dorothy Kilgallen reported of this case and she believed that he was innocent.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@joshmaxwell7968]

So did Dorothy say if Jack Ruby killed the doctor's wife?😊

[@SFICA9]

The sad thing was Dr. Sheppard returned to practice medicine not at the top of his game and wound up accidentally killing two patients.

[@harisankars1015]

Actually why he killed the hero's wife?? Motive

[@reginaldstyles9549]

Tommy Lee Jones Forever ❤️🙏

[@louisaparker]

Somehow I've never liked this movie much. Seems overhyped. "In the Line of Fire" from the same year was much better.

[@XsCrib]

The closest Marvel got to this type of storytelling was Civil War with how the Winter Soldier character was framed and chased

[@jitendradoc]

IMHO this is an okaaay movie. So many plot holes and coincidences! It felt like a less violent version of Taken! Harrison Ford was not his usual self. The story line was really predictable. I felt crestfallen Love ❤️ from India

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@clumsydad7158]

i tried to watch just now and agree - there is something very plastic early 90s to it, and the visual look is hard and cold. as much as I like Ford, this one is just too procedural and corporate for my taste, couldn't watch more than 20 minutes

[@scottonspruce]

I'm sorry for nitpicking, but it's not "accused of killing his wife falsely;" it's "falsely accused of killing his wife."

[@LearningaboutMovies]

everything on my videos is said impromptu -- no scripts. you'll find plenty to nitpick about.