Performance & Direction: Face of a Fugitive Review
Last updated: February 3, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Face of a Fugitive (1959) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Face of a Fugitive features a noteworthy lineup led by Fred MacMurray . Supported by the likes of Lin McCarthy and Dorothy Green , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Face of a Fugitive
Quick Plot Summary: Face of a Fugitive is a Drama, Western film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: Face of a Fugitive
Ending Breakdown: Face of a Fugitive attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Face of a Fugitive reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Face of a Fugitive?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Drama films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: Face of a Fugitive
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Face of a Fugitive Parents Guide & Age Rating
1959 AdvisoryWondering about Face of a Fugitive age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Face of a Fugitive is 81 minutes (1h 21m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.6/10, and global performance metrics, Face of a Fugitive is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1959 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Face of a Fugitive worth watching?
Face of a Fugitive is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 5.6/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Face of a Fugitive parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Face of a Fugitive identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Face of a Fugitive?
The total duration of Face of a Fugitive is 81 minutes, which is approximately 1h 21m long.
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How Face of a Fugitive Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Face of a Fugitive
You look very different with a gun. Jim Larson (soon to be Ray Kincaid) is a thief, during his train transfer to prison his younger brother enacts an escape plan. The US Marshall who was holding him is killed in the commotion, while Jim's brother is fatally wounded. Making his way into a nearby town, Larson acquires a gun and a horse but is unable to leave the town as the sheriff has quarantined it till a delivery of wanted posters arrive, these of course will show the face of the wanted man, that man is of course Jim Larson. Whilst marking his time, Larson gets embroiled in a war between the sheriff and a tough rancher, Reed Williams, finding himself strangely on the good side of the law. Fred MacMurray is not a name that instantly springs to mind when the talk turns to the Western genre, which is surprising, because although he hardly dominates in the genre pieces he did, he was more than capable of carrying a role in a few of the Westerns he starred in. Such is the case here as Jim Larson, thankfully putting a bit of gritty honesty into the picture and steering it safely to its intriguing conclusion. Face of a Fugitive is a very accomplished piece, not a film to linger long in the memory, but it's thematic redemptive heart is most assuredly of major interest, with the finale excellently fulfilling the shoot out fan's needs. James Coburn turns up in one of his first major roles and hints at what was to come later in his career, and a thumbs up for Alan Baxter who revels in bad guy duties as Reed Williams. Tight and hugely enjoyable, Face of a Fugitive is one to catch if you are a Western genre fan. 6.5/10
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
