When a posse captures three men suspected of killing a local farmer, they become strongly divided over whether or not to lynch the men.When a posse captures three men suspected of killing a local farmer, they become strongly divided over whether or not to lynch the men.When a posse captures three men suspected of killing a local farmer, they become strongly divided over whether or not to lynch the men.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 5 wins & 2 nominations total
- Art Croft
- (as Henry Morgan)
- Posse Member
- (uncredited)
- Bartlett
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDirector William A. Wellman loved the novel "The Ox-Bow Incident" and had long wanted to make it into a film, but the rights-holders insisted that he cast Mae West in any adaptation, which Wellman thought was ridiculous. Finally, Wellman bought the rights himself, and proceeded to make the film "his" way.
- GoofsThough the Mexican (Anthony Quinn) uses incorrect Spanish in responding "No sabe," his demeanor and his boast that he speaks 10 languages suggest he does this deliberately to show derision toward the posse.
- Quotes
[Gil Carter reading Martin's letter]
Gil Carter: "My dear Wife, Mr. Davies will tell you what's happening here tonight. He's a good man and has done everything he can for me. I suppose there are some other good men here, too, only they don't seem to realize what they're doing. They're the ones I feel sorry for. 'Cause it'll be over for me in a little while, but they'll have to go on remembering for the rest of their lives. A man just naturally can't take the law into his own hands and hang people without hurtin' everybody in the world, 'cause then he's just not breaking one law but all laws. Law is a lot more than words you put in a book, or judges or lawyers or sheriffs you hire to carry it out. It's everything people ever have found out about justice and what's right and wrong. It's the very conscience of humanity. There can't be any such thing as civilization unless people have a conscience, because if people touch God anywhere, where is it except through their conscience? And what is anybody's conscience except a little piece of the conscience of all men that ever lived? I guess that's all I've got to say except kiss the babies for me and God bless you. Your husband, Donald."
- Crazy creditsAt the end of the credits an ad for U.S. war savings bonds is shown on the screen. It says that "15,000 movie theatres are now selling U.S. war savings stamps and bonds! Buy yours in this theatre."
- ConnectionsFeatured in Film Extra: William Wellman (1973)
- SoundtracksRed River Valley
(uncredited)
Traditional
Played at the beginning and end of the film as well as at the camp site prior to the hanging
Director William Wellman obtains here a fantastic grey and sort of sordid atmosphere to display a story of men taking justice by their own hand and making an unrepairable mistake. The final sequence at the saloon when Henry Fonda reads in a loud voice the letter to his wife left by one of the innocent men hanged is most disturbing but at the same time rewarding for us viewers who get the feeling that justice has been done: the executioners will have to live with their terrible crime in their consciences for the rest of their lives.
Fonda and Andrews are very good in their parts and the supporting cast is excellent mainly with the always accurate Jane Darwell and a young Anthony Quinn.
"The Ox-Bow Incident" stands as a little classic among westerns, or dramas if you prefer.
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $565,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 15 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1