***Again, this review DOES contain spoilers. Only read if you have no problem with that.***
As someone for whom this series 'predates', I'm proud to say I've finally been able to watch this series I had only heard about.
When I was young in the 1980s, the re-running of 1 hour dramas, just really wan't done and in the case of "The Fugitive", it was really not a candidate for syndication at all. Why? It's been said that, because the finale wrapped everything up, why would anyone watch the reruns. (Sounds like a very weak reason.)
Despite being only 4 seasons, it's taken some time for me to get through the series but that's okay, it's worth the wait. As fans know, the show is about Dr. Richard Kimble (pediatrician mainly) , a man falsely accused & convicted of killing his wife.
He and the stoic, nearly emotionless but professional Lt. Gerard are taking a train (in the original opening credits) where at the end, Kimble would be executed in the electric chair. A train derailment leads to the beginning of Richard's flight from the law and the 4 years of pursuit.
David Janssen's portrayal of Richard Kimble is mostly low-key. As he's portraying a man who, until maybe recently, may have had 100% faith in the criminal justice system. He's soft spoken, tries to force a smile when he's basically trying to talk his way out of something, although he does have legitimate reasons to smile 'sometimes'.
Kimble though is a determined man. Determined to prove his innocence by evading Lt. Gerard and the law long enough to find the elusive 'One Armed Man' he saw fleeing from his home, as he was returning in his car. That after the fight he'd had with his wife.
Now it would have been easy to make it the Doctor vs. the Lt. 'every' week, but as early shows (in my opinion) indicate, this would get old very quickly. As much as seeing the one armed man every week would.
Instead, Kimble encounters a wide variety of people and quite possibly all levels of humanity around the U.S. & elsewhere. From good people who only wish to help him or need his help in some way, to the lowest kind of people, who seem to use blackmail (turning him in) to further themselves. (Especially in the final season when he is now wanted AND with a $10,000 reward for capture.)
On occasion, the good Dr. does encounter women who truly find him attractive & even fall in love with him. (..and he with them).
It's only vaguely alluded to, but in some shows, Kimble has had some 'one night stands' (or longer) with some of these ladies. Some help him, some turn on him for not sticking around. Kimble always let's it be known, he may not be around long. In the end, he must run again as he can't afford attachments..
Kimble seems to come out of tough situations (for lack of a better phrase) 'on top' but also more wary & cautious of what or whom he gets himself involved with. When confronted each time by Lt. Gerard, it looks like it's all over but someone or something seems to help our 'anti-hero' escape by the end.
The Lt. seems to be driven by his own failure to stop Kimble after the train incident, along with his own ego. Truth is, Gerard is so 'by the book' , his only goal is to bring Kimble back in.
Kimble 'was' found guilty under the law and as a law officer of this level, Gerard is 100% emotionally detached & will not believe the story about a one armed man. Still, we see his frustration with every failed attempt to successfully snare fugitive Kimble.
As for our one armed man, this is truly one of the sleaziest TV villains. A man who has no regard for others. He takes what he wants and violently kills if anyone is in his way.
At first Kimble only 'saw' him here and there but in later episodes, their confrontations are TV legend. Usually ending with our villain eluding capture from Kimble after a one on one confrontation.
On the series' acting, production and directing ....for a TV series of it's time, everything here is first rate. The music score is anywhere from haunting to that of 'nail biting excitement'. Certainly those scenes where Kimble shows he can fight back as well as run .
There is great camera work (especially after the show goes to color.) and everyone involved seems to know their part and how to play it, which goes right along with great directing.
True, nothing can be done about the 'green screen' driving/riding in a car but that's a minor thing. As there was no way, without some risk, to film it for real then.
As the series goes from the late JFK era & into post Beatles 1964-1967 ...the stories try to be more relevant to what was going on in the world then. (Sure wish there'd been many more shows like that.)
50 years ago on August 22nd & 29th, 1967 over 2 consecutive Tuesdays. With the highest pair of TV ratings ever achieved at that time, America bade farewell to the Richard Kimble saga.
Ten stars all around for this series.
Give it a look on DVD, start to finish, it's worth your time. Revisiting or to get acquainted with one of the best dramatic TV series of it's time. ...and it is still as great now (END)
As someone for whom this series 'predates', I'm proud to say I've finally been able to watch this series I had only heard about.
When I was young in the 1980s, the re-running of 1 hour dramas, just really wan't done and in the case of "The Fugitive", it was really not a candidate for syndication at all. Why? It's been said that, because the finale wrapped everything up, why would anyone watch the reruns. (Sounds like a very weak reason.)
Despite being only 4 seasons, it's taken some time for me to get through the series but that's okay, it's worth the wait. As fans know, the show is about Dr. Richard Kimble (pediatrician mainly) , a man falsely accused & convicted of killing his wife.
He and the stoic, nearly emotionless but professional Lt. Gerard are taking a train (in the original opening credits) where at the end, Kimble would be executed in the electric chair. A train derailment leads to the beginning of Richard's flight from the law and the 4 years of pursuit.
David Janssen's portrayal of Richard Kimble is mostly low-key. As he's portraying a man who, until maybe recently, may have had 100% faith in the criminal justice system. He's soft spoken, tries to force a smile when he's basically trying to talk his way out of something, although he does have legitimate reasons to smile 'sometimes'.
Kimble though is a determined man. Determined to prove his innocence by evading Lt. Gerard and the law long enough to find the elusive 'One Armed Man' he saw fleeing from his home, as he was returning in his car. That after the fight he'd had with his wife.
Now it would have been easy to make it the Doctor vs. the Lt. 'every' week, but as early shows (in my opinion) indicate, this would get old very quickly. As much as seeing the one armed man every week would.
Instead, Kimble encounters a wide variety of people and quite possibly all levels of humanity around the U.S. & elsewhere. From good people who only wish to help him or need his help in some way, to the lowest kind of people, who seem to use blackmail (turning him in) to further themselves. (Especially in the final season when he is now wanted AND with a $10,000 reward for capture.)
On occasion, the good Dr. does encounter women who truly find him attractive & even fall in love with him. (..and he with them).
It's only vaguely alluded to, but in some shows, Kimble has had some 'one night stands' (or longer) with some of these ladies. Some help him, some turn on him for not sticking around. Kimble always let's it be known, he may not be around long. In the end, he must run again as he can't afford attachments..
Kimble seems to come out of tough situations (for lack of a better phrase) 'on top' but also more wary & cautious of what or whom he gets himself involved with. When confronted each time by Lt. Gerard, it looks like it's all over but someone or something seems to help our 'anti-hero' escape by the end.
The Lt. seems to be driven by his own failure to stop Kimble after the train incident, along with his own ego. Truth is, Gerard is so 'by the book' , his only goal is to bring Kimble back in.
Kimble 'was' found guilty under the law and as a law officer of this level, Gerard is 100% emotionally detached & will not believe the story about a one armed man. Still, we see his frustration with every failed attempt to successfully snare fugitive Kimble.
As for our one armed man, this is truly one of the sleaziest TV villains. A man who has no regard for others. He takes what he wants and violently kills if anyone is in his way.
At first Kimble only 'saw' him here and there but in later episodes, their confrontations are TV legend. Usually ending with our villain eluding capture from Kimble after a one on one confrontation.
On the series' acting, production and directing ....for a TV series of it's time, everything here is first rate. The music score is anywhere from haunting to that of 'nail biting excitement'. Certainly those scenes where Kimble shows he can fight back as well as run .
There is great camera work (especially after the show goes to color.) and everyone involved seems to know their part and how to play it, which goes right along with great directing.
True, nothing can be done about the 'green screen' driving/riding in a car but that's a minor thing. As there was no way, without some risk, to film it for real then.
As the series goes from the late JFK era & into post Beatles 1964-1967 ...the stories try to be more relevant to what was going on in the world then. (Sure wish there'd been many more shows like that.)
50 years ago on August 22nd & 29th, 1967 over 2 consecutive Tuesdays. With the highest pair of TV ratings ever achieved at that time, America bade farewell to the Richard Kimble saga.
Ten stars all around for this series.
Give it a look on DVD, start to finish, it's worth your time. Revisiting or to get acquainted with one of the best dramatic TV series of it's time. ...and it is still as great now (END)