Drama, Movie Reviews

Bad Day at Black Rock

Drama 1955 / 81 minutes Rating: 8/10 John J. Macreedy wasn't looking to start anything. But when he steps off the train into a one-road town in the middle of nowhere, plenty of strangers seem eager to start something with him. And he doesn't know why. He also doesn't seem able to do much about it. Macreedy's come back from the war crippled, losing his left arm in the fighting in Italy. So how can he stand up to a town full of bullies and liars? There are multiple mysteries here – why is Macreedy here, and why is every one in the town so on edge about his appearance – but what makes this a film to see is maybe what it shows of manhood. There's a range of specimens on display, from the sheriff who's a coward and knows it, to the town doctor who isn't willing to stand up alone but whose conscience won't quiet down. Then there are the town bullies, as scared as they are scary. And Macreedy, who repeatedly demonstrates the valor in sidestepping a fight. But some fights can't be avoided, and what's going to happen then? Cautions One of the 1955 adverts for this said, "not suitable for children" and that caught me by surprise. There's no sex, no language, and only minimal violence, but yes, there is growing tension that kids maybe 12 and under won't know how to handle. Conclusion This is a "slow burn" film, taking its time to, bit by bit, amp up the tension. It'll be too slow for many in our Tik Tok generation, but it's a treat for any who like learning their history through film. This is about parts of the Americas that soldiers returned to after fighting in World War II. Sometimes there were fight still to be had back home too. The reason to watch this is Spencer Tracy as Macreedy, putting on a show as a man who has to handle a whole town on his own. Another reason: to see how earlier generations thought through an age-old struggle we still have today: the temptation to stay quiet and duck down at the exact moment when you're being called to step up and speak out. This is a film Christians can be inspired by, for sure.