It is obvious that in 1933, this social drama rattled some very powerful feathers, and 85 years later probably does the same thing to those who take it seriously. For everybody else, it may be a laughable relic, but there are some very serious messages buried deep within the Cecil B De Mille drama that does not require the use of tons of extras carrying swords or building pyramids or railroads. It is a story of how Injustice leads to desperate reactions and how a bully can be taken down and turned into a crying coward.
The excellent Charles Bickford is at his most despicable as an outwardly charming but inwardly evil crime boss who gets away with murder and as a result, murders again. It is obvious that the first murder was provocated, but his cockiness led to his committing the second murder. A group of college kids led by Richard Cromwell, upset by the murder of one of their own, take matters into their own hands because nothing legally can be done, and kidnap him to frighten him into making a confession. of course, they are committing crimes in order to do so, but if the results they get work, they'll mostly get a minimal sentence.
This is a crafty social drama that makes you hate the leading character from the very beginning and root for the young men fighting against corruption. Bradley Page is his usual creepy character, bodyguard to Bickford who is distracted by one of the college girls (Judith Allen) while Cromwell and gang's scheme is being put into motion. The last 20 minutes of this film are extremely intense and even Frank Capra couldn't have come up with a more emotional ending. It is superb in every way, perhaps not the solution to dealing with such evil, but it gives insight into the real character beneath the power that corrupts and destroys souls.
The excellent Charles Bickford is at his most despicable as an outwardly charming but inwardly evil crime boss who gets away with murder and as a result, murders again. It is obvious that the first murder was provocated, but his cockiness led to his committing the second murder. A group of college kids led by Richard Cromwell, upset by the murder of one of their own, take matters into their own hands because nothing legally can be done, and kidnap him to frighten him into making a confession. of course, they are committing crimes in order to do so, but if the results they get work, they'll mostly get a minimal sentence.
This is a crafty social drama that makes you hate the leading character from the very beginning and root for the young men fighting against corruption. Bradley Page is his usual creepy character, bodyguard to Bickford who is distracted by one of the college girls (Judith Allen) while Cromwell and gang's scheme is being put into motion. The last 20 minutes of this film are extremely intense and even Frank Capra couldn't have come up with a more emotional ending. It is superb in every way, perhaps not the solution to dealing with such evil, but it gives insight into the real character beneath the power that corrupts and destroys souls.