Paul Muni

Glenda Farrell

Helen Vinson

Noel Francis

Preston Foster

Allen Jenkins

Berton Churchill

Edward Ellis

David Landau

Hale Hamilton

Sally Blane

Louise Carter

Everett Brown

Willard Robertson

Robert McWade

Robert Warwick

William Le Maire

Charles Middleton

Dennis O'Keefe

Wallis Clark

Erville Alderson

Irving Bacon

Reginald Barlow

James Bell

Frederick Burton

A.S. Byron

Charles McAvoy

Eddy Chandler

G. Pat Collins

George Cooper

Jack Curtis

Harry Woods

John Marston

Douglass Dumbrille

J. Frank Glendon

Lee Shumway

Lew Kelly

Jack La Rue

Edward LeSaint

Walter Long

Jack Low

Edward McNamara

William Pawley

Charles Sellon

Allen D. Sewall

William H. Strauss

Sheila Terry

Fred 'Snowflake' Toones

Jack Wise

John Wray

Mervyn LeRoy

Hal B. Wallis

Sol Polito

Robert E. Burns

Howard J. Green

Brown Holmes

Sheridan Gibney

William Holmes

Jack Okey

Orry-Kelly

Al Alleborn

Bernhard Kaun

Leo F. Forbstein

William Forsyth

Drama

Crime

I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang

Warner Bros. Pictures

The Vitaphone Corporation

United States of America

Masterpiece that keeps influencing as much as it enthrals. 

Being a man who has a very unhealthy penchant for any film that deals with incarceration, it is with great elation that I can proudly proclaim this to be one of the greatest films of the genre. I had to finally give way and import the film on Region 1 to see what I was missing, boy was it joyous to see how this film has influenced some of my favourite film's of all time.

This is one tough movie, it pulls no punches and the only surprise is that it was made in 1932, that the film is a grizzled masterpiece is down to the astute direction of Mervyn LeRoy and a quite brilliant performance from Paul Muni in the lead role of James Allen. Based on the real life writings of Robert Elliot Burns, the film is a harsh kick in the guts about the brutal penal system that existed when most of us were mere glints in our Father's eyes. It is part of a Warner Brothers controversial classic's box set that is available on Region 1, and its place on any controversial classic list is worthy.

The film had major impact on reviews of the penal system, it caused uproar in Georgia (the film never mentions Georgia, but they knew it was about them), law suits followed and Robert Elliot Burns himself was constantly pursued by the authorities despite the state being privy to the actual facts of his case. I wont be boorish with the details as it is well documented across the net and those who haven't seen the film really need to address that issue. This picture strips it down to a primal story that begs a viewing from anyone interested in the genre - or actually for those interested in brilliant cinema from a golden era - period!  10/10

English

I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang - Trailer