Bad Day At Black Rock
In 1945 a train pulls into Black Rock, hardly even a whistlestop, and lets Macreedy off. He wants to give a local Japanese farmer his son's war medal, but the townsfolk will have nothing to do with him.
Member Reviews
cinemascope - cinemascope
Spencer Tracy and Robert Ryan make this an interesting pair for what some people refer to as a modern western. The film takes full advantage of the Cinemascope process which makes sense when the director is John Sturges. The movie is short when you also consider the excellent supporting cast and the shortness does not allow any character buld up at all. Still this movie is worth the time to take a look.Hasn't aged that well. - seenonflickr
My husband and I both thought this was a Western, and though it does take place in a desert town, it's not a Western. Made in 1954, it's set just after World War II; a stranger (Spencer Tracy) comes to town and the locals are suspicious of and nasty towards him. I'm sure that in 1954 this really was "thriller/suspense" but in 2010, it's pretty lame. Great cast, including Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Dean Jagger (who I love in "White Christmas") and more, but the movie left me really bored and wanting more.Has not aged well - MovieBug
In 1954, this probably had much more impact. With modern movies jolting the viewer visually, and through their sound-score and plot-line, Black Rock seems pretty tame.
You will figure out the story (and probable conclusion) in the first 15-20 minutes. And as a result, there is no real 'tension' in the film.
50 years ago, the story-line would have been much more relevant (10 years post WWII), but today it comes off as a little 'preachy' and stereo-typical.
This is a star-studded cast, including such notable character actors as Dean Jagger and Walter Brennan, who give first-rate performances. The film is worth watching for the acting, but don't expect excitement or a punch-line conclusion.
Member Reviews
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cinemascope - cinemascope
Spencer Tracy and Robert Ryan make this an interesting pair for what some people refer to as a modern western. The film takes full advantage of the Cinemascope process which makes sense when the director is John Sturges. The movie is short when you also ...Hasn't aged that well. - seenonflickr
My husband and I both thought this was a Western, and though it does take place in a desert town, it's not a Western. Made in 1954, it's set just after World War II; a stranger (Spencer Tracy) comes to town and the locals are suspicious of and nasty towards ...Has not aged well - MovieBug
In 1954, this probably had much more impact. With modern movies jolting the viewer visually, and through their sound-score and plot-line, Black Rock seems pretty tame.
You will figure out the story (and probable conclusion) in the first 15-20 minutes. ...