I have always been a person who stands for law and order. I respect the police and the job they face every day. The court system should stand for all and continually search for the truth no matter what. I believe in compromise and trusting our judicial organization. This has been difficult lately with all the upheavals within our society. I like to think that justice is balanced, and they get it right more times than not. I believe it is important to work within our current system. The winds will shift again, and I am hopeful opposing viewpoints will follow suit. In 1994, a film was released that went against my core belief of never running away from what is facing you. Yet, after watching this story unfold, I found myself cheering and rooting for the condemned to sprint faster. I have sat through this action-packed, thriller dozens of times, and it never gets old or tiresome. The haunting hunt is as fresh today as it was thirty years ago. Sometimes a person must be proactive, take responsibility for their future, and do whatever it takes. This is how I felt as I sat in a darkened movie theater witnessing the injustice and ensuing, explosive trail of THE FUGITIVE.
Harrison Ford portrayed Dr. Richard Kimble who was sentenced to death for something he did not commit. No one would believe him, and through circumstances beyond his control, found himself running from the law led by Samuel Gerard, a Federal Marshall, played by Tommy Lee Jones. These two were brilliant in their roles. They were authentic and honest every step of the way. Both men improvised their lines much to the director and writer’s delight. Jones came up with the words, “I don’t care” and “I don’t bargain.” Harrison was injured during the prison bus accident. He tore some ligaments in his leg that needed surgery. He refused and limped for real throughout the rest of the filming. It became a part of his character during the 79-day shooting schedule. The two of them together were dynamic and kept audiences on the edge of their seats never knowing what would happen next. The tension created was palpable and brilliant.
THE FUGITIVE was a tightly wound story with every frame smoothly leading into the next high-octane moments. Nothing else mattered or got in the way. Kudos to the editors who made over 600 cuts to get it right. It worked magically in keeping viewers focused on each scene’s lightning speed. The film editing was nominated for an Oscar along with six other categories including Best Film, but only Tommy Lee Jones came home with gold for Best Supporting Actor. To this date, it has grossed close to 400 million dollars which is not bad for a movie that only cost 23 million to make. The most expensive scene was the train wreck, which was done with actual train cars and the crash site can still be visited in Dillsboro, North Carolina. (It was cheaper using trains than building miniatures.) In fact, most of the film was created in that same region including the freezing dam and river sequences.
The entire ensemble was phenomenal as well and included a very young Jane Lynch, Sela Ward, Julianne Moore, and Joe Pantoliano. The music was abrupt and edgy. It would not let the audience get too settled. The need for disguising Harrison’s face was met by utilizing his chin covered by a beard in the beginning and then later shaving it off. This was smart, creative, and believable allowing Kimble to hide in plain sight among ordinary people. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade was the real thing. Harrison limped along the parade route in downtown Chicago quite incognito for a few minutes while cameramen ran along the perimeters capturing the exhilarating seconds. There were so many thoughtful details added that made THE FUGITIVE unforgettable and heart-stopping.
THE FUGITIVE is a gripping, emotionally charged classic. It makes us wonder which side would tip the scales today. It is a compelling film that begs the question I often now ask…does our current system stand for the truth? Facts are necessary, but repeating mere opinions or thoughts never makes them true. We must be diligent and be able to admit when we got it wrong. How else can we evolve and become greater than we currently are? It is streaming on AMC.
