Hanging

The Ox-Bow Incident (1943)

Based on the novel of the same name this western stars Henry Fonda and Dana Andrews, it also includes an early role for Anthony Quinn. After a spate of rustling when one of the local rancher is shot in the head an eager lynch mob sets off to find the culprits.

You can probably work out the tact the films takes, mod justice is bad and things do not end well. Despite the fairly obvious (to modern eyes) nature of the film it handles the subject well and covers a variety of view points. Even though you have a pretty good idea of what is going to happen it is hard to look away as the impending lynching draws closer. The production qualities are not exactly amazing as it is pretty clear the film was largely shot on a back lot rather than on location but are good enough to get by.

4/5