Fugitive, The MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +3 1/2 Content: -2

An intriguing action thriller, THE FUGITIVE stars Harrison Ford as Dr. Richard Kimble, a surgeon accused of murdering his wife. Sentenced to death, he seems to have no hope, but he and others escape on the way to prison when their bus has an accident. A tough U.S. Marshall deputy, Sam Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones), and his men relentlessly pursue Kimble in a fast moving, suspenseful chase. But Kimble eludes them and returns to Chicago where his wife was murdered. He is determined to prove his innocence and mounts a clandestine, sophisticated investigation to identify the real murderer. All the while, Deputy Gerard doggedly is trying to track him down and, on a few occasions, comes close to apprehending him. The ingenious methods Kimble uses to find his wife's murderer and the action packed pursuit by Gerard make for an engrossing thriller.

Of necessity, this type of story contains a considerable amount of violence. Men are shot at close range, the doctor's wife is beaten, and threatening chases, gun battles and fighting abound. Bloody victims and wounds are shown, and in one brief scene Kimble is shown sewing up one of his own gun wounds. Although explicit and intense, the violence is a legitimate part of the drama, and does not become gratuitous. Unfortunately, a number of obscenities are used in the dialogue and the doctor and his wife are shown in a stylistic love making scene, but no nudity occurs. Kimble is an honest, caring physician and even risks revealing his identity when he helps an injured boy in a hospital.On occasion, even the ruthless deputy Gerard demonstrates some humane qualities. THE FUGITIVE is too intense and violent for young persons, but it would be good entertainment for adults if it were not spoiled by its fairly frequent obscenities.

Preview Reviewer: John Evans
Distributor: Warner Brothers, 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522