I saw a simply briliant movie on Turner Classic Movies last night: Man in the Shadow, starring Orson Welles, from 1957.
Welles plays a great villain of a rancher that runs the town. When a death occurs on the ranch under suspicious circumstances, the sheriff, played by Jeff Chandler, finds it his duty to check into it. Even when the charge is brought up by a migrant farm worker, he sticks to his guns.
The slow-pacing of the movie is actually used suspensefully. You never think it is slow, but just realistically paced. So when some action comes, you really sit up and take notice.
Welles was very good in this. He's got the kind of style that is threatening without being overt, where a blow-up is ominously on the horizon. You know he could deliver at any time. Chandler, the sheriff, is tame yet passionate. You feel his self-questioning as he goes up against everybody in town, yet he still stands for what is right.
Very good movie. I wish I had taped it.
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