This is my parent's generation going up against the older generation during their college years, and as law students with ideals, they feel their justified in crossing the line of respecting one's elders. My generation would question the previous generation, and future generations have done the same, so this is simple evidence that nothing changes but the date.
With their professor's encouragement, the students, led by a young and understated Dean Jones (without any of those Disney mannerisms), stage a mock grand jury with the veteran mayor (an excellent Thomas Mitchell, worthy of another Oscar here) on the stand. Everything's fine until Jones questions Mitchell about money that appears to be missing from when Mitchell was tax collector. Professor Walter Abel stands by the mayor and Jones is fired from his job, and he begins to suspect that something's truly wrong when others begin to snub him as well.
This B MGM programmer is definitely a hot topic for any era, and it's still timely especially as it reminds older folk about how they fought against what they believed injustice and how that ideal passes down no matter the issue. It's about disregarding the passions of right dominating ideals and fear of what could be unleashed so it's a very thought provoking film. Joan O'Brien as a fellow student seems to be Jones' only supporter. Not at all heavy handed and very direct, and a commentary on the weaknesses of humanity in facing truths, from both points of view. Definitely life as seen through the eyes of a rebel with a cause, and absolutely top notch.
With their professor's encouragement, the students, led by a young and understated Dean Jones (without any of those Disney mannerisms), stage a mock grand jury with the veteran mayor (an excellent Thomas Mitchell, worthy of another Oscar here) on the stand. Everything's fine until Jones questions Mitchell about money that appears to be missing from when Mitchell was tax collector. Professor Walter Abel stands by the mayor and Jones is fired from his job, and he begins to suspect that something's truly wrong when others begin to snub him as well.
This B MGM programmer is definitely a hot topic for any era, and it's still timely especially as it reminds older folk about how they fought against what they believed injustice and how that ideal passes down no matter the issue. It's about disregarding the passions of right dominating ideals and fear of what could be unleashed so it's a very thought provoking film. Joan O'Brien as a fellow student seems to be Jones' only supporter. Not at all heavy handed and very direct, and a commentary on the weaknesses of humanity in facing truths, from both points of view. Definitely life as seen through the eyes of a rebel with a cause, and absolutely top notch.