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This film is hugely under rated and deserved a clutch of awards.

"Racial tensions threaten to explode when a black man is elected sheriff of a small, racially divided town in the Deep South".

The movie is set in a time when race almost defined a nation. And the picture captures the period brilliantly illustrating the culture, language and music of the era.

There are stand out performances from George Kennedy-surely one of his finest- as the former sheriff coming to terms with unemployment and racism. The town mayor played by Frederic March, who gives a charismatic amusing performance. But the best of all and the one who steal the show is Clifton James who is apparently hostile to the new sheriff but events have a way of changing minds. Where he excels is his ability to convey his thoughts silently, a skill few actors possess.

All the cast are convincing as is the ultimate theme and outcome of the story.

Highly recommended:

8/10.