Bad Day at Black Rock is a 1955 movie directed by John Sturges.
WHAT HAPPENS?
A stranger arrives in a small town, where a group of suspicious locals are hiding a secret. Their motives are slowly revealed, which leads to a battle for survival.
ONE LINE REVIEW
Bad Day at Black Rock masterfully layers suspense in an efficient manner.
THE ACTORS
The entire cast is tremendous, led by Spencer Tracy. Tracy possesses the affable, old-school cool and resolve of a veteran. There’s never a moment where he’s physically outmatched, despite his stature, age and loss of one arm. As the locals threaten him in both subtle and overt means, Tracy’s Macreedy responds with logic and irony. His urgency is direct but never wrought with emotion.
The supporting actors fit seamlessly into their roles. Robert Ryan plays Reno Smith with a quiet menace that evolves into violence as Macreedy uncovers the town’s secret. Ernest Borgnine is impressive as the town heavy who ends up on the wrong end of a physical altercation. Lee Marvin slips into a dusty cowhand, Dean Jagger is a perfect 50’s cowardly drunk, Anne Francis is spunky and Walter Brennan is the voice of reason – a contrast to the town’s aggressive, conspiratorial nature.
THE DIRECTOR
There is a lean efficiency to Sturges’ direction. There are few wasted moments and each scene propels the town’s air of mystery. The dialogue is tight but leaves room to interpret each character. Both the setting and cinematography is simple, but reveals a sun-drenched, gritty beauty.
THE BEST – The One-Liners
Macreedy to Trimble: “You’re not only wrong. You’re wrong at the top of your voice.”
Reno to Macreedy: “No one around here seems big enough to get you mad.”
Macreedy: “I got a problem of my own.” Doc: “You sure have. They’re going to kill you with no hard feelings.”
THE WORST – The Sacrificial Lamb
Anne Francis’ Liz is the most level-headed of the group – she realizes the limitations of living under Reno’s defacto rule. Unfortunately, she becomes a pawn in his game of survival.
FOX FORCE FIVE RATING – 4.5/5
Bad Day at Black Rock is a class on how to create a compelling narrative. It’s a simple but extraordinary movie.
