Presumed Guilty

Here is a decent little thriller, though not breath-taking. It's from our old friends at AIP Pictures, whose budgets get as low as you can go. This time the budget has no bearing on the film itself, which is good. That lets you just sit back and enjoy the story, even if there is little of that here. Jessie Weston (Jack Vogel) is a man recently released from prison for a crime he didn't really commit, but one that his best friend committed. Once he gets out, he stays with his brother and sister-in-law and hopes to get his life back in order. What he is really hoping for is that his old girlfriend Mary will accept him back, but there is a huge blockade: her father is the sheriff and never believed in their relationship. In fact, he had blocked all communication while Jessie was in prison, further dividing the couple. When Jessie's best friend is killed by some low-life mobsters, Jessie is propelled as the top suspect and is hunted by the law. Jessie has to clear his name by revealing who exactly is behind the death of his friend.

Sure, it isn't a great plot, but it worked enough for me. I like Jack Vogel as the lead, and the rest of the cast is game. The final gun battle is very well handed for a movie with a budget this small and this more than makes up for the parts of the movie where the story drags. I don't imagine anyone will be seeking this out, but it isn't a bad choice should you find it on television some dark and lonely night. Zantara's score: 6 out of 10.