The Fugitive (1947): Cast & Plot
The Fugitive is a 1947 drama directed by John Ford, starring Henry Fonda as A Fugitive, Dolores del Río and Ward Bond. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 40m (100 min)
- Director
- John Ford
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- RKO Radio Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Fugitive About?
The premise of The Fugitive without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A peril‑laden adventure follows a man’s desperate flight as he becomes entangled in the revolutionary government’s anti‑Catholic crackdown in Tabasco, Mexico. The regime’s anti‑clerical policies target the state’s last remaining priest, forcing the protagonist into a dangerous struggle for survival and justice.
The Fugitive Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- baby girl
- angel
- chiaroscuro
- baptismal font
- religious persecution
- tragedy drama
- character appears on wanted poster
- ticket agent
- dying woman
- political drama
- dying man
- crossing oneself
+38 more Show fewer
- sanctuary
- crucifix
- cristero war
- murder
- woman dances barefoot
- ford and h.fonda
- ford and bond
- fonda and bond
- ford and del rio
- ford and qualen
- priest
- fugitive
- police
- mexican
- indian
- police shootout
- humility
- pride
- child born out of wedlock
- mexican law
- peasant
- cornfield
- genuflecting
- peon
- aqueduct
- mule
- mexican band
- bell tower
- police sergeant
- taken as hostage
- police lieutenant
- opening narration
- 1930s
- marxist
- resignation
- desert
- land reform
- faith
The Fugitive Cast & Characters
Henry Fonda leads the cast as A Fugitive, with Dolores del Río as An Indian Woman and Ward Bond as James Calvert, aka 'El Gringo'. Directed by John Ford; 16 actors are credited in all.
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Director John Ford
-
Henry Fonda as A Fugitive - Dolores del Río as An Indian Woman
-
Ward Bond as James Calvert, aka 'El Gringo' -
J. Carrol Naish as A Police Informer
Also Starring in The Fugitive
· 12 more- John Qualen A Refugee Doctor
- Mel Ferrer Father Serra (uncredited)
- Fortunio Bonanova The Governor's Cousin
- Robert Armstrong Police sergeant
- Jack Pennick Man (uncredited)
- Pedro Armendáriz A Lieutenant of Police
- Chris-Pin Martin An Organ-Grinder
- Rodolfo Acosta Policeman (uncredited)
- Leo Carrillo Chief of Police
- José Torvay Mexican (uncredited)
- Miguel Inclán A Hostage
- Fernando Fernández A Singer
More from John Ford
More films directed by John Ford, best-rated first: The Grapes of Wrath, The Searchers, Young Mr. Lincoln and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.
The Fugitive Plot Summary
What happens in The Fugitive from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In a nameless Latin American country where the Catholic Church has been outlawed, a nameless and conflicted Catholic priest becomes a fugitive, portrayed by Henry Fonda. This tense backdrop mirrors the real Cristero War in Mexico around 1926, a brutal conflict that frames his dilemma and the community’s response to faith under siege. The story follows his precarious life as troops clash with religious supporters, and the villagers try to hide him from a militant, anti-clerical regime.
Full summary
The whole story of The Fugitive, scene by scene
The Fugitive Videos
The clip of The Fugitive.
How Well Do You Know The Fugitive?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who portrays the nameless Catholic priest who becomes a fugitive?
Seen The Fugitive?
Movies Like The Fugitive
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Fugitive, The Fugitive Kind and Face of a Fugitive.
The Fugitive FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Fugitive, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Fugitive?
The Fugitive runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).
When was The Fugitive released?
The Fugitive was released on November 11, 1947.
Who directed The Fugitive?
The Fugitive was directed by John Ford.
More films by John Ford Who is in the cast of The Fugitive?
The Fugitive stars Henry Fonda as A Fugitive, Dolores del Río as An Indian Woman and Ward Bond as James Calvert, aka 'El Gringo', among 16 credited actors.
Does The Fugitive have a post-credit scene?
No. The Fugitive has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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