Face of a Fugitive (1959)

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

A Masterpiece!

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

*Plot analyzed* Face of a Fugitive (1959) is a nice little Western with the more than reliable Fred MacMurray. I like him in Film-Noirs (Double Indemnity (1944), Pushover (1954) and Westerns (Quantez (1957), Good Day for a Hanging (1959).Here he plays an outlaw, who isn't as bad as he seems. He makes an escape from a train with the unwanted aid of his brother, who gets shot and later dies. Also, the lawman was killed. So Fred MacMurray is on the run.Jim Larsen, alias Ray Kincaid (Fred MacMurray) hops on a train to the next town, where he befriends the sheriff and his sister. He's drawn into their world and even stands up for the sheriff (Lin McCarthy), who's engaged with a dispute with a cattle man, Reed Williams (Alan Baxter). Look for a young James Coburn as one of his henchmen. He's in a ridiculous scene where Jim Larsen, alias Ray Kincaid (Fred MacMurray) shoots a barbwire fence and it wraps around him tightly.Most of the action takes place in the small town, but still, it's a solid script and tight role for the likable Fred MacMurray.

While fans of "My Three Sons" and the Flubber films might not believe it, Fred MacMurray was the star of a wide variety of films up until the 1960s--romances, comedies, Film Noir and even Westerns. So I assume that an awful lot of people would be surprised to see a tough-as-nails version of Fred in FACE OF A FUGITIVE.The film begins with Fred being under arrest for bank robbery. However, he is in the process of escaping when his brother intervenes and shoots the deputy. Both the deputy and brother are killed in the process and Fred is assumed to be the guilty party--which he is not. So now he's not just on the run for robbery but murder.When he arrives in a far off town, no one there knows his identity. However, they have heard about the murder and are on the lookout for Fred. But, at least for a couple days, they don't have wanted posters, so they have no idea what he looks like. Unfortunately for Fred, he can't leave town because deputies have the roads out of town covered--in case this killer tries coming in or out of the city. So, he's stuck, at least for now, and begins to make friends in the town--particularly with a pretty lady as well as the sheriff.Overall, it is an exceptional western--even with "Steve Douglas" in the lead. I particularly like how it ended--it was exciting yet a bit vague--which I enjoyed. Good acting and a good script--this one is a keeper.

Fred McMurray plays Jim Larson ,who when we see him first ,is on his way to prison handcuffed to a US Marshall -his crime being robbery.He escapes with unwanted and unnecessary aid from his brother and the lawman is killed .His brother is mortally wounded in the affray . Larson assumes the name of Ray Kincaid and travels to a nearby town where he poses as a mining engineer and seeks to escape only to be turned back as the town Sheriff (Lin McCarthy), is awaiting a poster of the man wanted for the death of the Marshall -Larson himself.Larson becomes involved in a dispute between the local Mr Big ,powerful rancher Williams (Alan Baxter)and the sheriff over land rights .Williams is determined to ride roughshod over the law and has might ,if not right on his side -several thuggish henchmen ,including the menacing Purdy (James Coburn ,in his second role in movies and stealing the scenes he is in with a performance of understated menace)He also falls in love with the sheriff's sister (Dorothy Green)and the movie moves towards a climactic shootout .This is a movie of rare economy and visual inventiveness.The credits open on a poster of Larsons' face and as they unfold bars appear across that face ,creating an image of incarceration.This is repeated in many scenes -bars in the shape of bedsteads ,fences and barred foregrounds etc .The focus is on redemption and the above average script is lean and powerful/The direction by Paul Wendkos is crisp and the acting throughout is admirable.Docked a point for an open -and in my view ,unsatisfactory ending

I must admit, I have never before liked any movie that starred Fred McMurrey. This is a first.The action moves slowly here, as much of the tension has to do with how the characters think and interact. However, that's exactly what makes it special. Even the female lead has important lines, which is exceedingly rare in this genre. McMurray's character is one you would expect Gary Cooper to have played, and he pulls it off surprisingly well.While not a classic, this is an extremely well-made Western, and I highly recommend it.