Fools' Parade 1971
"Glory, W.Va., 1935. It wasn't exactly a parade. It wasn't a time for celebration. It was a time to run for your life."
Fools' Parade (1971), directed by the reliably rugged Andrew V. McLaglen, follows Mattie Appleyard, a prisoner freshly released in 1935 after four decades behind bars.
Director: Andrew V. McLaglen
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fools' Parade (1971) about?
Fools' Parade follows three ex-convicts who, upon their 1935 release from prison, hope to build a simple life by opening a general store. But their plan is sabotaged by a corrupt prison official and a dishonest banker who refuse to let them escape the past.
Who directed Fools' Parade?
Andrew V. McLaglen directed Fools' Parade (1971), bringing his signature blend of rugged drama and Western-tinged storytelling to this gritty tale of redemption and revenge.
Who stars in Fools' Parade?
The film stars cinema legends James Stewart, George Kennedy, and Anne Baxter, with rising talent Kurt Russell and Katherine Cannon rounding out the principal cast.
Is Fools' Parade (1971) worth watching?
Fools' Parade is a solid pick for fans of 1970s character-driven dramas with moral complexity. While not a blockbuster, Stewart's performance and McLaglen's direction deliver an engaging, atmospheric story worth your time.
How long is Fools' Parade?
Fools' Parade runs 98 minutes, a tight runtime that keeps the tension high and the narrative focused on its compelling trio of leads.
Fools' Parade (1971): Dark Comedy Meets Gritty Drama — Full Movie Info
Fools' Parade (1971), directed by the reliably rugged Andrew V. McLaglen, follows Mattie Appleyard, a prisoner freshly released in 1935 after four decades behind bars. Alongside two fellow ex-convicts, he dreams of starting over by opening a general store using the modest savings Mattie has amassed. Yet their fragile hope quickly collides with the entrenched greed of a corrupt prison official and a crooked banker, who conspire to swindle them before their plans can even begin.
This sharp blend of dark comedy, gritty drama, and tense thriller unfolds in the hardscrabble hills of West Virginia, where justice is scarce and survival demands cunning. Stewart's commanding presence anchors the trio's struggle between desperation and resilience, while Kennedy and Russell round out a cast that grounds the story in raw humanity. Expect sharp dialogue, moral reckonings, and a setting drenched in the dust of economic hardship and faded dreams.