A great evocation of a long lost cityscape. The underbelly of post war Chicago and its Polish community are portrayed beautifully, particularly when Macneil (Jimmy Stewart) is searching for the eyewitness who's testimony convicted Frank Wiecek. This is combined with a meaty story, told in a semi documentary style of a mother's devotion and a cynical hack's transformation to campaigning champion. Jimmy Stuart is excellent in this role, starting off disbelieving the innocence of the ''Cop Killer'' Wiecek, gradually becoming convinced by the decency and defiance of Frank and his family. Macneil gets to give a rousing statement to the Pardon Board, and the use of technology in the denouement is interesting. The scene where Frank is released to meet his ex wife and son is truly touching. The only unsatisfying part to the movie is the neglect of the other wrongly convicted man, Tomek Zaleska, although if you read the message boards you will see why.
Review of Call Northside 777
