Day of Reckoning

Watch Day of Reckoning

"SHE WANTED THE ROMANCE THAT WAS DENIED TO HER!"
  • Passed
  • 1933
  • 1 hr 9 min
  • 6.4  (269)

Synopsis: Day of Reckoning is a gripping and suspenseful drama that explores the moral dilemma of a man caught between duty and his own conscience. Richard Garfield (Richard Dix) is a successful New York City lawyer who is hired to defend a wealthy businessman named John Adams (Conway Tearle) who is accused of killing a young woman. Despite overwhelming evidence of Adams' guilt, Garfield takes on the case with the goal of securing his client's acquittal. However, as the trial progresses, Garfield begins to question the morality of his actions and the notion of justice itself.

The movie begins with a young woman named Mae (played by Rochelle Hudson) who is found dead in a hotel room. Circumstantial evidence points towards Adams, a man with a reputation for debauchery and womanizing. Garfield is approached by Adams' daughter, Marian (Madge Evans), who asks him to take on the case. Garfield is hesitant at first, but is eventually swayed by the promise of a large fee and the challenge of defending a seemingly indefensible man.

As the trial proceeds, Garfield is faced with mounting evidence of Adams' guilt. Eyewitnesses place him at the scene of the crime, and a pawnbroker identifies a necklace found at the scene as belonging to Adams. Despite this, Garfield persists in his defense, determined to uncover any loophole or technicality that may save his client's life.

As the trial nears its conclusion, Garfield learns that his wife has been taken seriously ill. He rushes to her side, only to find that she has been stricken with a mysterious illness that requires expensive medical treatment. Garfield is faced with the choice of continuing to defend Adams or abandoning the case in order to care for his wife.

Torn between his duty to his client and his love for his wife, Garfield makes a fateful decision that will change the course of the trial and his own life forever. The climax of the movie is a tense and dramatic courtroom scene in which Garfield must face the consequences of his actions and confront the truth about justice and morality.

Day of Reckoning is a powerful and thought-provoking drama that raises important questions about the nature of justice and the role of the lawyer in society. Richard Dix delivers a strong performance as Garfield, a man struggling with his conscience in the face of overwhelming pressure and temptation. Madge Evans is equally impressive as Marian Adams, a woman haunted by the sins of her father and seeking redemption through Garfield's defense.

The movie is beautifully shot and directed, with a dark and moody atmosphere that perfectly captures the moral ambiguity of the story. The supporting cast is also excellent, with Tearle delivering a chilling performance as the sinister and manipulative Adams.

Overall, Day of Reckoning is a classic film that still resonates today, nearly a century after its initial release. Its themes of justice, morality, and personal responsibility are as relevant now as they were in the 1930s, and its powerful message of the importance of standing up for what is right continues to inspire and challenge audiences to this day.

Day of Reckoning
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Description
  • Release Date
    1933
  • MPAA Rating
    Passed
  • Runtime
    1 hr 9 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.4  (269)