The Ox-Bow Incident

7/1/2017

There can't be any such thing as civilisation unless people have a conscience. The Ox-Bow Incident is directed by William A. Wellman and adapted to screenplay by Lomar Trotti from the novel of the same name written by Walter Van Tilburg Clark. It stars Henry Fonda, Henry Morgan, Dana Andrews, Mary Beth Hughes, Anthony Quinn, William Eythe and Jane Darwell. Music is scored by Cyril J. Mockridge and cinematography by Arthur C. Miller. Gil Carter & Art Croft ride into the town of Bridger's Wells, they hit the local saloon to imbibe after a log hard cattle drive. Whilst there a man runs in and announces that a popular man from the town has been shot by rustlers. The sheriff is out of town and a lynch mob quickly forms to bring what they see as swift justice to the culprits, Gil & Art joi

4/4/2022

When "Larry Kincaid" is shot, the townsfolk rise up and decide to pursue the killers. Led by Confederate officer "Tetley" (Frank Conroy) they alight on three folks in the wilderness moving some cattle. It seems that these three had recently been with "Kincaid" and so a kangaroo court is duly assembled with a view to lynching them. William Wellman now develops one of the most tautly presented half hours of cinema I've ever seen. The posse have no evidence, but will they be persuaded by the protestations of innocence from "Martin" (Dana Andrews) and his companions, including Anthony Quinn's "Martinez"? The tension is palpable as old man "Davies" (Harry Davenport) tries to be the voice of reason and "Art" (Harry Morgan) and "Carter" (Henry Fonda) wrestle, too, with their consciences. It's a s