The Ox-Bow Incident (1943)

When a posse catches up three men suspected of killing a local farmer, some of them become strongly divided on whether or not to lynch the men.

Director:

William A. Wellman

Writers:

Lamar Trotti (written for the screen by), Walter Van Tilburg Clark (from the novel by)

Stars:

Henry Fonda, Dana Andrews, Mary Beth Hughes

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Henry Fonda	...	Gil Carter
Dana Andrews	...	Donald Martin
Mary Beth Hughes	...	Rose Mapen
Anthony Quinn	...	Juan Martínez
William Eythe	...	Gerald Tetley
Harry Morgan	...	Art Croft (as Henry Morgan)
Jane Darwell	...	Jenny Grier
Matt Briggs	...	Judge Daniel Tyler
Harry Davenport	...	Arthur Davies
Frank Conroy	...	Major Tetley
Marc Lawrence	...	Jeff Farnley
Paul Hurst	...	Monty Smith
Victor Kilian	...	Darby
Chris-Pin Martin	...	Poncho
Willard Robertson	...	Sheriff Risley

Storyline

Two drifters are passing through a Western town, when news comes in that a local farmer has been murdered and his cattle stolen. The townspeople, joined by the drifters, form a posse to catch the perpetrators. They find three men in possession of the cattle, and are determined to see justice done on the spot.

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Plot Keywords:

posse | justice | saloon | 1880s | false accusation | 

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Taglines:

Tough! True! Terrifying!

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

21 May 1943 (USA)

Also Known As:

Consciências Mortas

Filming Locations:

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of a select group of films to secure just one Oscar nomination, albeit in the Best Picture category. The other members in this club are Grand Hotel and One Foot in Heaven.

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Goofs

Gil Carter (Fonda) pulls his gun out twice when the mob first arrives at the Ox-Bow.

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Quotes

Gil Carter: Say, what is there to do in this town anyway?
Darby: Well, unless you want to get in line and woo Drew's daughter...
Art Croft: We don't.
Darby: The only other unmarried woman I know is 82, blind and a Payute. That leaves you five choices: eat, sleep, drink, play poker or fight. Or you can shoot some pool. I got a new table in the back room.

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Crazy Credits

At the end of the credits an ad for U.S. war savings bonds is shown on the screen. It says that "15,000 movie theatres are now selling U.S. war savings stamps and bonds! Buy yours in this theatre."

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Connections

Referenced in M*A*S*H: Hawkeye (1976)

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Soundtracks

"Lonesome Valley"
(uncredited)
Traditional Negro Spiritual
Performed a cappella by Leigh Whipper

User Reviews

The Ox-Bow Incident (1943) ****

I loved the simplicity of this 75 minute film, yet how powerful and effective it remained just the same. It's an effective little gem with nice direction, good performances (with a standout being a young Anthony Quinn) and a telling study of human weaknesses.

I had a very minor quibble regarding Henry Fonda's characterization early in the movie, and how so much time was spent on crafting it to no real advantage. It seemed like all that preliminary material had no bearing on the events that would transpire later in the movie. The same might be argued for the scene involving the married woman who Fonda is sweet on. No matter. In the end, the film is overwhelmingly successful and poignant, despite these observations.