The Well Reviews

This intense drama boldly addresses racial issues. A young black girl disappears and a white man, Morgan, is jailed for kidnaping her. She is located in a well, however, and efforts begin to dig her out. The rescue mission builds to an explosive point when machines begin boring holes into the ground. Crowds of curious townsfolk arrive, as both blacks and whites peacefully await word of the girl's fate. Morgan, meanwhile, is released when it is discovered that he has been telling the truth. Rober, the town sheriff, asks Morgan to use his construction experience in digging the shaft, but a bitter Morgan refuses. He reconsiders and shows up at the rescue site when it appears that all hope is lost, then volunteers to go into the shaft and with some difficulty rescues the girl, who is only barely alive. This suspenseful picture builds to a powerful climax as the machines rhythmically drive into the ground with an accelerated pace that is heightened by a pounding musical score and fierce, frenetic editing. Released the same year as Billy Wilder's THE BIG CARNIVAL, which took a cynical look at the same situation. Nominated for two Oscars: Best Film Editing and Best Screenplay.