Directed by:
Phil KarlsonCinematography:
Harry NeumannComposer:
Harry SukmanCast:
John McIntire, Richard Kiley, Kathryn Grant, Edward Andrews, Lenka Peterson, Biff McGuire, James Edwards, George Mitchell, Richard Rust, Gil Perkins, Sol Gorss (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
In this semidocumentary, an Alabama town is run by a crime syndicate that's grown fat on prostitution and crooked gambling, directed at soldiers from Fort Benning across the river. Lawyer John Patterson, back from the army, is triggered by what he sees to join the reformers with a plan: to run his father Albert for state attorney general. The syndicate responds with escalating violence: is no one safe? (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (1)
If you don't find out anything about the movie in advance, you might be surprised (if you don't read this comment) that it's a documentary. The film tells the story of the town of Phenix City and the opening part of the film is shot like a documentary. There is also a voiceover that provides additional information about the city, which was indeed controlled by crime, culminating in the death of newly elected attorney general Albert Patterson. So it's actually a documentary dramatization of what happened in the city in 1954. The scene with the little girl is incredibly frightening, and I didn't believe Scorsese when he talked about it. It really sends chills down your spine, even though you don't actually see any violence. And it's not the only scene. The finale is quite intense, and you realize that in 1955 there were creators who weren't afraid to show violence as it is. Yes, still limited, but it doesn't leave you unaffected.
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