classicsoncall I'd only seen snippets of this movie in the past but never the entire picture until the other evening. I thought it was a well plotted thriller with only a couple of minor quibbles that distracted from the main story. One was when Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford), on the run from Deputy Marshal Samuel Gerard (Samuel Gerard), committed an unforced error by responding to the sound of his name on the staircase. The other was during the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Kimble sheds his heavy topcoat and when he heads out of the parade route, Gerard appears to have been walking closely behind without realizing it. My question would be - how and where would Kimble have discarded the coat without anyone noticing? Otherwise, the film's story line was well scripted with tantalizing details regarding the villains of the piece dispensed like crumbs to help the viewer follow Kimble's progress in solving the crime of his wife's murder. But aside from Kimble, it's Tommy Lee Jones's character, Samuel Gerard, that keeps the story crackling with beat pounding forensic work and deftly inserted humor to sharpen the suspense. I liked the idea that Gerard slowly but steadily brought his own way of thinking around to consider that Kimble might be innocent, something you don't see very often when authorities think they have an open and shut case. And in this instance, the case had already been decided once, so Gerard and the rest of his team were more or less involved in a deadly cat and mouse game until the pieces with Dr. Charles Nichols (Jeroen Krabbé) and security expert Sykes (Andreas Katsulas) began to fall into place. I guess the biggest downside to the picture if there is one, is that we didn't get to see Sela Ward all that much. As Mrs. Richard Kimble, she wasn't on screen very long, nor was Julianne Moore, who shares top billing as the doctor who smoked out Kimble's ruse at the hospital. Both were fine in limited roles, along with Joe Pantoliano as Gerard's second in command. But gee, who names their kid Cosmo?

jamariana Films about people being framed or misunderstood - The Warriors (1979) and Jagten (2012) come to mind - are often so brilliantly dramatic and entertaining. The Fugitive was cool, but I don't get all the Oscar attention it ended up getting. It seems like a pretty standard action film to me, and those kinds of movies never get anything beyond one or two technical nods.

LuxuryJesper In one sentence: this movie is too smart for it's own good. The story from a basic point of view is actually quite interesting. A doctor falsely accused of murdering his wife is convicted to death, but manages to escape, which initiates a huge hunt for the fugitive. While on the run, he spends his time trying to find out who was really behind the killing, with the US Marshalls right behind him…The problem with the movie is, that it cuts too many corners for the story to work. The unrealistic, predictable and stupid/illogical things are standing in line, which makes it a bit exhausting to watch. A couple of examples:During Kimble's visit of Driscol in prison (or whatever it is) where the US Marshalls are there as well, why not set security at each exit? Makes no sense. Even when he is spotted by Gerard. Instead of contacting each and every one of his colleagues, he decides to chase him down a staircase. Why even show up a team of god knows many cops, when all you do anyway is work alone? Apparently it's extremely easy, to access each and every room at a hospital. Kimble walks right into a room filled with medicine, a prosthetic lab and god knows how many other rooms without any clearance. People don't even ask what he is doing there. Amazing, just amazing. After Nichols admits that he was approached by Kimble, why not keep a tab on him? In case he does it again. After all, of all the people Kimble could've contacted, Nichols was the one he decided. Of course it's Nichols who's behind it all. It's always the least suspect, who's behind the crime/conspiracy. If it were Lentz, the whole plot of the movie would end up like any other action/crime movie: the good beats the bad. With a movie like this, where the work behind/towards the reveling has been so intensely, you need a bigger/smarter ending. Unfortunately it's so predictable, it makes me wanna puke. Why not use the press? TV, newspapers etc. This guy is a convicted killer, he's dangerous, plus he's in a city with 2,7 million citizens. Why not try and use these to your advantage? - instead of hoping he will show up at a place where some cop hopefully recognizes him (which they obviously is doing a terrible job at). Both Ford and Lee Jones are doing a great job in this movie, which raises it to a higher level than it really deserves. That's the most positive thing I can say about this movie. I know if all these things I've mentioned hadn't happened, there would be no movie. But, at least they could have tried to make it a bit more realistic. Get into more details, point out why it's possible for Kimble to access all these rooms, point out why the US Marshalls aren't thinking about closing exit's in the buildings/places they spot him, instead of each and every time chase him without any luck. These lack of information's and details make the movie so superficial, to a point where it's almost pathetic.

nadrojh I have never seen the TV show, but as a thriller The Fugitive is very good. It has a wonderful script, fast paced and pulls in many different characters. I also like that it covers the investigation, trial, escape, the chase, and all the other elements of the story. Andrew Davis did a very good job directing. It is very well shot, especially the chase scenes and the flashback scenes. It has a wonderful cast, especially the flawless performances of Tommy Lee Jones and Harrison Ford. The Fugitive is an incredible thriller. I have seen the movie many times, and enjoyed it every time. I watch it every now and then just to be reminded how good a thriller can be without relying on special effect, loud noises, and bright lights. Andrew Davis has made many good movies, but this is one of his best. It is one of the best thrillers from 1990's. It is a must see thriller. It is very good