The Fugitive Kind (1960)
Val Xavier, a drifter of obscure origins, arrives at a small town and gets a job in a store run by Lady Torrence. Her husband, Jabe M. Torrance, is dying of cancer. Val is pursued by Carol Cutere, the enigmatic local tramp-of-good-family.
Details
Budget
$0
Rating
7/10 (106 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Pennebaker Productions, United Artists
About The Fugitive Kind
Directed by Sidney Lumet, "The Fugitive Kind" is a 1960 drama and romance film filmed in black and white. The story centers on Val Xavier, a drifter who takes a job at a general store owned by Lady Torrence. Her husband, Jabe M. Torrance, is ill with cancer. Val's presence also attracts the attention of Carol Cutere, a local socialite with a troubled past.
The film explores themes of desire, confinement, and social judgment within a small-town setting. With a runtime of 119 minutes, it features performances from its lead actors as relationships develop and tensions escalate. The narrative unfolds around these intertwined characters as they grapple with their circumstances and the expectations of their community. The film has a reported average vote of 7 out of 10 from 106 TMDb users, with a 56% Rotten Tomatoes score.
Why you might be searching for The Fugitive Kind
People searching for "The Fugitive Kind" often remember its lead actor, Marlon Brando, and may look for other films he starred in. The film's black and white cinematography and its dramatic, romantic plot based on a Tennessee Williams work are also distinctive elements that could prompt searches. Its exploration of a drifter's arrival and the subsequent impact on a small town's inhabitants can be a memorable plot point.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer describes Val as a "party gigolo" tired of his life, arriving in town after being released from jail, and taking a job where he falls in love, calling it one of Marlon Brando's best films and praising Joanne Woodward's performance.
Read the full reviewAnother reviewer found the film a bit slow for their taste, though they appreciated the quick escalation of the relationship between Marlon Brando and Anna Magnani by the end, considering the ending solid despite the preceding meandering pace.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can watch *The Fugitive Kind* on [Amazon Prime Video](https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0GWK3KY8G/) or [Apple TV](https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/the-fugitive-kind/umc.cmc.6rkgqx0ip8ra5d7pf2ysvwpl0).
*The Fugitive Kind* is not based on a true story; it is an adaptation of Tennessee Williams' 1957 play *Orpheus Descending*, which itself was a revision of his earlier 1940 work *Battle of Angels*. The screenplay for the film was written by Meade Roberts and Tennessee Williams.
In *The Fugitive Kind*, the ending involves tragic consequences after Lady Torrance becomes pregnant by Valentine Xavier. Her embittered husband, Jabe, starts a fire in the new confectionery where Lady and Valentine are. Lady attempts to save Jabe from the fire, but he shoots her on the staircase. Firefighters then use hoses on Valentine, forcing him back into the flames. The film concludes with Carol Cutrere driving out of town.
Reviews for *The Fugitive Kind* are mixed, but many consider it a compelling watch for its performances and melodramatic elements. While some critics found the pacing slow and the direction ponderous, others praised Marlon Brando's magnetic performance, Joanne Woodward's portrayal, and the film's reflection of the "ugly side of people" and discrimination in the 1950s South.