} Crítica Retrô: Fúria / Fury (1936)

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Saturday, June 11, 2016

Fúria / Fury (1936)

Às vezes precisamos de um soco no estômago. Um soco metafórico, obviamente: algo que nos tire da zona de conforto, que nos incomode, que nos deixe insatisfeitos com nós mesmos. Isso é possível com muitos filmes. Isso aconteceu comigo vendo o primeiro filme feito por Fritz Lang em Hollywoo, “Fúria” (1936), que tenta responder duas perguntas principais: Por que coisas ruins acontecem com pessoas boas? E como isso pode destruir a bondade que existe nelas?

Sometimes we need a punch in the stomach. A metaphoric punch, obviously: something to take us out of our comfort zone, to bother us, to leave us dissatisfied with ourselves. This is possible with many films. This happened to me while I was watching Fritz Lang's first Hollywood film, “Fury” (1936), that tries to answer two main questions: Why bad things happen to good people? And how can these things destroy the goodness in those people?
Joe Wilson (Spencer Tracy) era um cara legal. Ele queria se casar com seu grande amor, Katherine Grant (Sylvia Sidney), mas para isso precisava juntar dinheiro. Ele prospera junto dos irmãos com um posto de gasolina em Chicago, enquanto Katherine vai trabalhar em outra cidade. Quando Joe finalmente consegue o dinheiro, decide ir até sua amada, acompanhado de seu fiel cachorro Rainbow (Terry, mais conhecido por interpretar Toto em “O Mágico de Oz” em 1939). E no caminho começam os problemas.

Joe Wilson (Spencer Tracy) was a nice guy. He wanted to marry his sweetheart, Katherine Grant (Sylvia Sidney), but to do it he needed to save money. He does well with his brothers in a gas station in Chicago, while Katharine goes to work in another town. When Joe finally gets enough money, he decides to go meet his sweetheart, carrying along his loyal dog Rainbow (Terry, best known for playing Toto in “The Wizard of Oz” in 1939). And then troubles start.
Joe é detido na estrada e levado para ser interrogado sobre o sequestro de uma moça. Infelizes coincidências levam o delegado a acreditar que Joe sabe algo sobre o crime, e ele é preso até que os fatos sejam apurados. Mas não dá tempo de descobrir a verdade: em pouco tempo se espalha a notícia de que um envolvido no sequestro foi preso, e ninguém quer saber a versão de Joe antes de formarem uma opinião sobre ele. Em uma poderosa e sábia metáfora envolvendo pessoas fofoqueiras e galinhas cacarejantes, fica claro que a verdade é o que menos importa quando os ânimos estão em ebulição.

Joe is stopped on the way and taken to be asked about the kidnapping of a girl. Unfortunate coincidences make the sheriff believe that Joe knows something about the crime, and he is arrested until the facts are checked. But there is no time to find out the truth: quickly the news about a man involved in the kidnapping being arrested spread through town, and nobody wants to know Joe's version before making a judgement about him. In a powerful and wise metaphor involving people who spread gossips and sassy chickens, it becomes clear that the truth is the less important thing when there is too much animosity.
E é por isso que eles colocam fogo na delegacia – e vibram com a ideia de Joe sendo queimado vivo. Quando os verdadeiros sequestradores são presos e confessam o crime, todos os moradores que apoiaram o linchamento preferem esquecer o infortúnio. Mas Joe, que sobreviveu, não esquecerá: ele quer vingança, e mais nada. E há um povoado inteiro a ser julgado e condenado – não apenas os 22 homens acusados de homicídio, mas suas famílias, as pessoas que passaram adiante o boato, e as que se deliciaram com a morte de um inocente.

And that's why they burn down the jail – and rejoice with the idea of Joe being burned alive. When the real kidnappers are arrested and confess the crime, all the people who supported the lynching prefer to forget the misfortune. But Joe, who survived, won't forget: he wants revenge, and nothing else. And there is a whole town to be condemned – not only the 22 people indicted for murder, but their families, the people who spread the rumors and the ones who became happy with the death of an innocent man.
A verdade é que somos julgados diariamente – e em geral por pessoas que têm pouca ou nenhuma moral para nos julgar. E é quando isso acontece que ficamos menos esperançosos com relação à humanidade, perdemos a confiança em outras pessoas e até mesmo pensamos em vingança. Isso já aconteceu comigo.

The truth is that we are all judged every day – and in general by people who have no moral to judge us. And it is when this happens that we lose hope for mankind, can't trust people and even think about revenge. This already happened to me.

Este é um dentre muitos filmes sobre o perigo das massas sedentas por justiça, nem um pouco abertas ao diálogo. Outros filmes com o tema são “Consciências Mortas” (1943) e “”O Sol é para Todos” (1962). Há também um tema menos abordado, que é a corrupção por amizade. Todos na cidade querem defender os culpados – porque, no fundo, todos são também um pouco culpados, inclusive o delegado.

This is one among many movies about the dangers of the mobs looking for justice and not interested in dialog. Other movies about the theme are “The Ox-Bow Incident” (1943) and “To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962). There is also a less common theme, the 'corruption by friendship'. Everybody in the city want to stand for the guilty ones – because, deep down inside, they are all guilty, including the sheriff.
Spencer Tracy está ótimo em momentos tão contrastantes: do moço apaixonado ao sobrevivente cheio de ódio, ele brilha e convence, embora o destaque seja para sua versão mais sombria. Walter Abel também está espetacular como o advogado de acusação, que usa muito a técnica de “você pode apagar uma pergunta da ata, mas não da mente dos jurados”.

Spencer Tracy is great in very distinct moments: from the young man in love to the survivor full of rage, he shines and is convincing, although he is better as the darkest version. Walter Abel is also spectacular as the district attorney, who uses the technique of “you can erase an answer from the report, but not from the jury's minds”.
Fritz Lang havia acabado de sair da Alemanha nazista, e podemos ver reflexos de seu último filme alemão, “M” (1931), em “Fúria”. Entretanto, Lang estava mergulhando em um problema atual de seu novo país, o linchamento, e conseguiu fazer um filme pertinente não apenas para 1936, mas também para os dias atuais. Em “Fúria”, aprendemos que às vezes a razão não consegue vencer a bestialidade. Mas é sempre bom tentar manter a razão – afinal, é ela que nos torna humanos.

Fritz Lang had just left Nazi Germany and we can see an influence from his last German film, “M” (1931), in “Fury”. However, Lang was dealing with a current problem happening in his new country, lynching, and was able to make a pertinent film not only for 1936, but also nowadays. In “Fury”, we learn that sometimes reason cannot defeat bestiality. But it is always good to try to keep reason – after all, it is reason that makes us human.

This is my contribution to the Order in the Court! The Classic Courtroom Movies blogathon, hosted by Theresa and Lesley at Cinemaven’s Essays from the Couch and Second Sight Cinema.

10 comments:

  1. It is a fascinating and difficult film to watch. Theories of behavior are often at odds with spur of the moment reactions.

    I am sorry to hear you have had to endure such troubles. I have been in the same boat.

    Take care.

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  2. Fritz Lang did not pull any punches in his indictment of mob violence. Its a tough movie to watch, but a nice essay to read. Thank you for joining our blogathon

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  3. Yes, these situations are really difficult and they do make a person lose faith in humankind. I'm sorry that you've experienced this. :(

    As for this film, this is another one you've written about that I haven't seen. (I can't believe I claim to be a classic movie blogger!) This sounds thought-provoking, and I know I'll love it. Thanks!

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  4. Agreed that this is a tough film to watch - mainly because it shines a true and unflattering light on the dark side of human nature But, once seen, it is never forgotten. Great choice!

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  5. I've never heard of this film before, so thank you for introducing it to me, I'll add it to my list, it sounds quite unique! I've never seen a Fritz Lang movie before, so it's time to start them!
    Domi (Little Bits of Classics)

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  6. Hi Le. Spencer Tracy is one of my all time favorite actors, and I love "Fury", so I enjoyed reading your article. Thanks for highlighting this great film. Excellent post.

    I invite you to check out my contribution to the blogathon.

    https://crystalkalyana.wordpress.com/2016/06/14/10-rillington-place-1971/

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  7. I have not seen this film yet- but its Fritz Lang- so of course I'll have to check it out- early Spencer Tracy- you can't Lose!

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  8. I've only seen this film once, but I remember feeling kicked in the guts. First to see Spencer Tracy's character get unjustly punished and lose everything (and knowing how easily this can still happen today, as you point out). Then to see him lose his second chance in life by giving into the hate he feels. Great choice for the blogathon.

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  9. I first watched this film a couple years ago, knowing nothing of what it was about. The scene where the town mobs the jail to burn it down and kill Tracy's character really shocked me! Tracy is excellent in this role, changing from the idealistic happy soul to one hungry for revenge. I enjoyed your post about it!

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  10. I have to say Spencer Tracy is my film bete noir. I cannot stand to watch him...however I love Fury. Not just because of the way Lang handles the subject matter but because even though Tracy is the star he is in hiding for most of the film

    Great review

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