Review of I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang

This is film is an honest look at the treatment of criminals in a southern prison system after World War I. It depicts the effects of the Great Depression on the common man. The basic theme is that every person deserves their basic civil rights despite their background and that anyone can come from nothing to become a prominent figure in society. The lighting of this film is remarkable. Many scenes are dramatically bathed in darkness letting the viewer see only what is important. Sound also played a big role in setting the film, the constant sound of sledge hammers reoccurs to emphasis the constant struggle of the prisoners. The film also makes clever use of off screen action like in the scene where James is taken to another room to be flogged, the camera does not follow him into the room but remains stationary allowing the viewer to hear the hits of the whip and the cries of pain.