"The Fugitive" was shot by Gabriel Figueroa, whose splendid work -- with its plasticity, contrasts, shadows, camera positions and angles-- is one of the high points of black-and-white cinematography. Exceptionally good editing and music. This film, after "The Informer" and " The Long Voyage Home" confirmed that Ford (who, in-between , has made other movies) was also an "artistic" filmmaker.
Essentially the same mix of realism and expressionism prevails in all three films. "The Informer" was a Judas story, with clear Christ-like echoes. "The Fugitive" also has religious symbolism: a Christ-like figure, Mary Magdalen, and the Good Thief. It had a mixed critical reception and did not prove popular. It is,however,one of the best Catholic-themed movies and was one of Ford's own favorites. The current version may have a short spoken introduction (not in the original) by the unmistakable voice of an uncredited John Huston. (Edwin Jahiel)
Sunday 26 Febr 95 8:30 am, AMC