My favorite operation of Glenn Ford ’s career can be found inRansom ! , the original edition of a democratic Mel Gibson action movie from the 1990s . One of several Mel Gibson film set in the activeness musical genre , 1996’sRansomexplored the sweat of a marry , millionaire father to rescue his Logos , who had been necessitate by snatcher . In the spectacular thriller , Gibson ’s fiber refuses to give the ransom money need for his boy ’s release , setting up a huge conflict with the kidnappers .
decennium beforeRansompairedA - list Hollywood star Mel Gibsonwith Rene Russo in a cast that also included Gary Sinese and Delroy Lindo , Glenn Ford starred in an adaptation of the same story , which originated as a stage playing period . In 1956 , Ford appeared inRansom!as David Stannard , a rich businessman whose son is kidnap from school . It ’s an admittedly lesser - know entry and arguably not as famous as the Gibson version , but after seeing it , it instantly became my most memorable experience watching a Glenn Ford film .
Ransom! Is An Underrated Glenn Ford Classic
Glenn Ford’s Plea To The Kidnappers Is One Of His Best Scenes Ever
Ransom!never became a box office staff success nor did it become a bang with critic at the clip of its freeing , which to me , is quite surprising . Ransom!struck me as an Academy Award - worthy film due to the performances of its two lead actors , yet never received any Oscar buzz . Donna Reed ’s disbelief - turned - horror at finding out about her son ’s kidnapping was incredibly riveting , but so was Glenn Ford ’s turn as David Stannard ; he was more collected than his married woman during the experience , butFord never fail to enchant the feeling of a troubled , disquieted fatheras he survive through the motions , soothe his married woman , babble out to the constabulary , and coming up with a program to bring his Word home safely .
Ransom!features the movie entry of Leslie Nielsen .
The highlight of the movie stems from Stannard ’s controversial decision not to pay the ransom . After learning that parents ' willingness to pay encourages these crimes to continue , Stannard resist social norm and gives a passionate on - camera speech where he angrily peril to apply the money the kidnaper asked for as a bounty rather than a ransom . During this fit , Ford establish an telling range , express a founding father ’s heartfelt wretchedness over his Logos ’s destiny , rage at those who need him , and at last , a solemn desire to have the situation resolved peacefully . His deeply emotional , four - minute soliloquy may be the good Glenn Ford sceneI’ve ever watched .
Custom image by Ana Nieves
The 1950s were a decennary filled with iconic films that have not only remain popular in the present day , but affected where movies went in the future .
The speech is a pivotal moment in the story , but also sparks several more capital vista from the vet thespian . Ford plays to the highly principled nature of the Stannard character , showcasing his convictions in his belief that he ’s right in not paying the ransom and cautiously balance that with Stannard ’s exertion to hide his vexation about what his decision could cost his son . All of this culminates in a in truth ticker - wrenching scene in which the heavily guard Stannard break down and cries in the arms of his Samuel Butler , Chapman ( Juano Hernandez ) . It being such a rarefied moment of vulnerability for him makes the scene all the more meaningful .
How Ransom! Compares To The Mel Gibson Version
Glenn Ford ’s portrayal of David Stannard drive its story , and further distinguishes it from the Mel GibsonRansommovie . While it too cast emphasis on the psychological and moral plight of the parent , it does n’t take the same route as the archetype . At its heart , Ransomis an action movie , whereasRansom!is purely a drama . The 1996 movie uses its main character ’s quandary to launch a competitiveness between him and the abductor , which comes to a head in the climax of the celluloid with Gibson ’s Tom Mullen facing off against Sinese ’s Shaker . The 1956 movie , on the other hand , never develops into an natural action - orient story . In fact , the kidnappers are never feature as character in the movie .
Ransom!simply follows the abominable time of day that Stannard and his wife go through as they await for word about their son . This grounded glide path made it prosperous for me to invest emotionally in Ford and Reed ’s character .
Unlike Mel Gibson ’s character , David Stannard never has to meet the kidnappers nerve - to - face . However , this does n’t make out across as a cop - out or an anti - climactic resolve ; In fact , I found it to be a more realistic exploration of a real - life since it does n’t involve the protagonist rescuing his son himself or finding out that the detective in rush of the example is actually a Centennial State - conspirator in the crime . Instead , Ransom!simply follows the painful hour that Stannard and his wife go through as they wait for intelligence about their son . This grounded approach made it leisurely for me to invest emotionally in Ford and Reed ’s characters .
Ransom is a suspense thriller directed by Ron Howard, featuring Mel Gibson as Tom Mullen, a wealthy airline owner. When Mullen’s son is kidnapped, he faces a moral and strategic dilemma, choosing between negotiating with the kidnappers and taking a bold, unconventional stand. Also starring Rene Russo and Gary Sinise, the film delves into intense psychological and emotional territory, showcasing a parent’s struggle in a high-stakes hostage situation.
Other Great Performances In Glenn Ford’s Career
Glenn Ford Also Starred In Gilda, The Big Heat, Pocketful Of Miracles, And More
Ransom!is one of many examples of what a great blind mien Glenn Ford had as an player . While it was unfortunate thatRansom!never pull together the critical acclaim or attention it deserved , the same ca n’t be said for several other Glenn Ford classic . A number of his other movies were rightfully recognized for featuring memorable performances from the star . One that resist out is 1955’sBlackboard Jungle , which has Ford take on the role of a high school instructor at an interracial school at a time when segregation was still a common recitation . LikeRansom!does a yr after , Blackboard Jungleleans heavily on Ford ’s power to portray characters with uncompromising nonpareil .
Action movies have changed a lot over the decades , but the 1950s still boasted some incredible action at law motion picture genius who have stood the trial of time .
Several of Glenn Ford ’s in effect pic used a similar tactics , as this was a big part of the worker ’s spectacular skillset . That was the compositor’s case withSuperman , which made an appropriate casting choice when it bug Glenn Ford to play Jonathan Kent , a persona largely responsible for instilling in the Man of Steel the note value that make him who he is .
In bare contrast to that , some films notice success in utilizing Ford ’s reach to render a protagonist willing to dive into virtuously gray territory . For instance , two of his entries intothe film noir genre , GildaandThe Big Heat , took this direction by centering on Glenn Ford fibre consumed by hatred . One of the Hollywood legend ’s best Westerns ( a musical genre in which he often worked ) , the original3:10 to Yuma , put the actor in a rarefied anti - hero role . All of these films are sure as shooting worth watching and are widely involve as among the virtuoso ’s respectable work , but for me , nothing top what he contribute to the big cover inRansom !
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Cast
Ransom is a suspense thriller directed by Ron Howard , have Mel Gibson as Tom Mullen , a wealthy air hose possessor . When Mullen ’s son is kidnapped , he face a moral and strategical dilemma , choosing between negociate with the kidnappers and taking a bluff , improper standpoint . Also star Rene Russo and Gary Sinise , the film delves into intense psychological and emotional territory , showcasing a parent ’s struggle in a high - stakes hostage situation .
Ransom is a suspense thriller directed by Ron Howard, featuring Mel Gibson as Tom Mullen, a wealthy airline owner. When Mullen’s son is kidnapped, he faces a moral and strategic dilemma, choosing between negotiating with the kidnappers and taking a bold, unconventional stand. Also starring Rene Russo and Gary Sinise, the film delves into intense psychological and emotional territory, showcasing a parent’s struggle in a high-stakes hostage situation.
