The Fugitive

1963

Seasons & Episodes

  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0

8.1| 0h30m| TV-PG| en
Synopsis

Richard Kimble is falsely convicted of his wife's murder and given the death penalty. En route to death row, Kimble's train derails and crashes, allowing him to escape and begin a cross-country search for the real killer, a "one-armed man". At the same time, Dr. Kimble is hounded by the authorities, most notably dogged by Police Lieutenant Philip Gerard.

Director

Producted By

United Artists Television

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Reviews

Dorathen Better Late Then Never
Kidskycom It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.
Janae Milner Easily the biggest piece of Right wing non sense propaganda I ever saw.
Mandeep Tyson The acting in this movie is really good.
shatzbarry What a great series! What great memories! For a fifteen year old sophomore in high school to be able to see this series from the beginning was absolutely the best. The great opening, the stunning score, William Conrad's wonderful baritone voice, the prologue, the premise itself all set it apart from anything else on television at the time. Each episode created a climate of suspense and uncertainty I felt with no other show. I felt Kimble's emotions and feared with him that anywhere he went he was more likely to be surprised by Lt. Gerard than to find Fred Johnson. He lived in constant fear and I lived that fear with him. When each episode was over it wasn't over for me. I took each episode's emotions to bed with me and looked forward to the next week's adventure. Nothing showed Kimble's fear and vulnerability better than the first episode when at the bus depot his voice trembled and he admitted how he lived in fear of Gerard and looked for him everywhere he went. Nothing could have better set the standard for his fear of Gerard for the rest of the series.Now we have come to a very special anniversary. Although the series finale aired in August, 1967, the ending narration of William Conrad was "Tuesday September 5, THE DAY THE RUNNING STOPPED." We have now reached the fifty year anniversary of Dr. Kimble officially receiving his freedom. I have been looking forward to it if only to share it with other Fugitive fans who may have loved the series as much as I have.
AaronCapenBanner The series would start every episode with the same narration, effectively summing up the situation of how Richard was wrongfully convicted by a jury for the murder of his wife, which was committed by a one-armed man he would pursue for the entire run of the series after he was freed from a train wreck on route to the death house.It must have seemed like divine intervention to Richard that he was now freed by fate so close to meeting his undeserved execution, but being on the run for four years was not easy, as he helped ordinary people in need, and fled from the relentless pursuit of Lt. Gerard(played expertly by Barry Morse), who was obsessed with his re-capture.It may be considered slow by modern audiences, but this series had mostly excellent writing and gritty realism in how it makes you feel such sympathy for Richard Kimble in his search for justice.Was superbly re-made in 1993 as a feature film with Harrison Ford, this series is compelling television drama.
James Lawrence The right concept, the right star, the right scripts, and the right producers and directors all came together at the right time (1963-1967) to create the finest dramatic series ever to appear on television.Dr. Richard Kimble, played by actor David Janssen, is a pediatrician in Stafford, Indiana. He has an argument with his wife Helen and storms off. While returning his car almost hits a one armed man who darts into the street from the vicinity of his home. He runs into his home past the open front door and sees Helen dead on the floor. Although innocent, he is tried and convicted for murder, and sentenced to death.Police Lieutenant Phillip Gerard, played by actor Barry Morse, is taking Kimble by train to prison to be executed, when the train derails and Kimble escapes. Kimble travels from place to place, frequently changing his name, taking jobs where he can get them, usually menial, and ever on the alert lest he be recognized and captured. Lt. Gerard and other police are hot on his trail, and even well-meaning civilians can cause his ruin.While running, Kimble constantly seeks the one armed man so he can prove his innocence. Viewers can certainly believe in his innocence, since in each episode he displays outstandingly good character, frequently putting himself at risk to help another person in need. Kimble is intelligent, modest, generous, honest, hard-working, strong and trustworthy, an altogether admirable hero, yet also believable. He is no superhero, just an ordinary man placed in extraordinary circumstances that allow his true character to come forth.But this is not a one note show. Violence, criminality, medical drama, and romance all have a place in the series, but none dominates it. The fact he must frequently travel puts Kimble in a variety of interesting situations involving people of all different characters from all stations of life. The circumstances of the series allow the writers to place Kimble in just about any situation in any setting, from a migrant labor camp to a hospital to an embassy to a research laboratory, while making important points about morality, hypocrisy, and the flaws of even the best legal system, all against the dramatic background of the struggle to survive of a sympathetic lead character. The parade of talented guest stars adds icing to this tasty cake.Other efforts to exploit this idea, such as the movie with Harrison Ford and the more recent TV series starring Tim Daly, failed to capture the essence of what made the 60s series so great. So, for those of us who love quality programming, we have little choice but to rely on the original. What a shame that the bosses at the TV networks have been unable to find a place in their schedules for such a magnificent show.
jbull1968 This was a truly great and inventive series of the 1960's. Intelligent scripts, great acting by the guest stars as well as the series leads, Janssen and Morse, coupled with excellent production values. I understand that Paramount holds the rights to this great series. I for one can't understand why it hasn't been released onto DVD. I know that were periodic releases of the series on video by legitimate companies including, I think, Columbia House. I picked up a used VHS edition which had two episodes on a tape and an introduction to each episode by Barry Morse. Somebody at Paramount is definitely letting a cash cow slip through their fingers by not releasing it...wake up Paramount!