When the streamliner stops at Black Rock for the first time in four years, the mysterious one-armed stranger John J. Macreedy (Spencer Tracy) disembarks and asks how to reach Adobe Flat to meet the Japanese- American farmer Kamoko. He is not allowed to check-in the hotel and he is not able to rent a car. Soon he notes that the sheriff is a drunkard and the resident Reno Smith (Robert Ryan) rules the place with his henchmen Hector David (Lee Marvin) and Coley Trimble (Ernest Borgnine). Further he feels that the inhabitants are hiding something. When he finally succeeds to rent a jeep from Liz Wirth (Anne Francis), he drives to Adobe Flat and finds the farmhouse burned to the ground. He immediately concludes what might have happened to Kamoko and tries to communicate with the state police, but he discovers that communication is controlled by Smith. Further, the veterinarian Doc Velie (Walter Brennan) tells that his life is in danger and unsuccessfully tries to help him to escape. Who is John J. Macreedy and what will happen to him?
"Bad Day at Black Rock" is a tense thriller with great screenplay, direction and performances. The secrets about the behavior of the inhabitants and who Macreedy is holds the attention and makes also the viewer nervous. The trio of villains is perfect with Robert Ryan, Ernest Borgnine and Lee Marvin. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Conspiração do Silêncio" ("Conspiracy of the Silence")
"Bad Day at Black Rock" is a tense thriller with great screenplay, direction and performances. The secrets about the behavior of the inhabitants and who Macreedy is holds the attention and makes also the viewer nervous. The trio of villains is perfect with Robert Ryan, Ernest Borgnine and Lee Marvin. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Conspiração do Silêncio" ("Conspiracy of the Silence")