The Sun Shines Bright
By Kit Macdonald
One of the genius John Ford's less heralded works, 1953's The Sun Shines Bright is nonetheless essential viewing, and was often cited by Ford as being his favourite of his own films. Set during the post-Civil War reconstruction era, it follows the story of a small-town judge, played by Charles Winninger, who embodies the complexities of justice, morality, and community values in a deeply divided society, all with Ford's signature blend of humour and serious social commentary.
The film revolves around the attempted lynching of a young, wrongfully accused Black man, U.S. Grant Woodford, which Judge Priest manages to prevent by standing in the doorway of the jailhouse and talking the lynch mob down. Those in the lynch mob come to realise that Judge Priest has saved them from themselves, and reward him by voting for him to be re-elected to his post en masse as the film reaches its conclusion.