Fools' Parade (1971)

Fools' Parade Poster

When a trio of ex-convicts led by Mattie Appleyard is released from prison, they hope to open a general store using money Mattie has saved during his 40-year sentence. This attempt is met with great resistance from a corrupt prison official and the banker who issued Mattie the check.

Introduction
"Fools' Parade", additionally referred to as "Dynamite Man from Glory Jail", is a 1971 American drama film guided by Andrew V. McLaglen as well as based upon the 1969 book of the exact same name by Davis Grubb. The film features a set actors, including James Stewart, Strother Martin, George Kennedy, Anne Baxter, and also Kurt Russell. The movie informs the story of a team of recently-released convicts who discover themselves in a struggle against corrupt authorities as well as townspeople as they attempt to assert a hidden fortune.

Plot Summary
The film occurs in the early 1930s in West Virginia. Mattie Appleyard (James Stewart) is an aging ex-convict that has actually just been released from the Glory State Penitentiary after offering 40 years for a murder he devoted in protection. Upon his launch, he is joined by two fellow ex-convicts, Lee Cottrill (Strother Martin) and also Johnny Jesus (Kurt Russell). As component of his parole, Mattie is given a look for $25,310, which is the money he saved throughout his time in prison. He prepares to use this cash to open up a basic store in Youngstown, Ohio, as well as begin a brand-new life.

Their journey starts on a train, where they are signed up with by a witness to Mattie's murder test, Cleo (Anne Baxter), who intends to accompany them. Nonetheless, things swiftly take a turn for the even worse when they show up in the town of Glory. The community is under the control of a number of corrupt officials, including the cops chief (George Kennedy), a lender called Mr. Pittston (Fred Clark), and also a newspaper editor called Jerry Allen (Mike Kellin). They all wish to swipe the ex-convicts' money and also have the townspeople on their side.

Dispute and Struggles
Mattie, Lee, as well as Johnny are promptly targeted by the corrupt authorities upon their arrival in Glory. Two attempts are made on their lives: one by a team of guys with baseball bats, the various other by a sniper. Because of this, they are compelled to protect themselves, usually resulting in fierce conflicts.

When they ultimately make it to the financial institution, they locate that Mr. Pittston has rejected to pay their check. Mattie is incapable to obtain any type of help or assistance from the community's people, as they as well are under the control of the corrupt authorities. He is eventually forced to look for assistance from Cleo and also a medical professional named Doc Council (Will Geer), who is thoughtful to his cause. With each other, they create a strategy to expose the corruption in Glory as well as acquire the money that rightfully belongs to Mattie and his good friends.

Last Confrontation as well as Resolution
The film reaches its orgasm when Mattie and also his buddies plan to burglarize the bank, planning to make use of the swiped money to settle the corrupt officials as well as subject their greed to the townspeople. A fierce shoot-out occurs between the ex-convicts as well as the town's police, causing a number of casualties on both sides. Ultimately, Mattie, Lee, and Johnny manage to leave Glory abundant with their swiped loot.

The movie concludes with a bittersweet tone, as the characters assess their activities as well as the morality of their choices. The corrupt officials and also townspeople encounter their karma, while the ex-convicts, although victorious, wonder if they have absolutely escaped the cycles of physical violence and also greed they sought to leave.

Verdict
"Fools' Parade" is a thought-provoking as well as nuanced expedition of the motifs of greed, corruption, loyalty, as well as principles, set against the backdrop of Depression-era West Virginia. The strong efficiencies of its cast, specifically those of James Stewart, George Kennedy, and Anne Baxter, bring its compelling story to life as well as welcome reflection on the intricacies of human nature and also the options we make despite hardship.

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