The Fugitive

Plot synopsis:
Dr. Richard Kimble, a prominent Chicago vascular surgeon, arrives home to find his wife Helen fatally wounded by a one-armed man. Kimble struggles with the killer but he escapes. The lack of evidence of a break-in, Helen's lucrative life insurance policy, and a misunderstood 9-1-1 call result in Kimble's conviction of first-degree murder. Being transported to death row by bus, his fellow prisoners attempt an escape. The pandemonium sends the bus down a ravine and into the path of an oncoming train. Kimble escapes the collision and flees. Deputy U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard and his colleagues Renfro, Biggs, Newman and Poole arrive at the crash site and begin the search for Kimble. Kimble sneaks into a hospital to treat his wounds and alter his appearance. He eludes the authorities, but Gerard corners him at the edge of a storm drain over a dam. Kimble leaps into the raging water and escapes.
Kimble returns to Chicago to hunt for the murderer and acquires money from his friend and colleague Dr. Charles Nichols. Posing as a janitor, Kimble enters the local county hospital's prosthetic department to obtain a list of people who had their prosthetic arm repaired shortly after his wife's murder. Following a police lead confirming Kimble's recent whereabouts, Gerard speculates that Kimble is searching for the one-armed man. Kimble breaks into the residence of one of the people on the list, a former police officer named Fredrick Sykes. Kimble discovers that Sykes is the murderer and is employed by a pharmaceutical company, Devlin MacGregor, which is scheduled to release a new drug called Provasic. Kimble investigated the drug in the past and revealed that it caused liver damage, which would have prevented it from being approved by the FDA. He also deduces that Nichols, who is leading the drug's development, arranged a cover-up and ordered Sykes to kill him – his wife's death was incidental. Gerard follows Kimble's lead to Sykes' home and draws the same conclusion.
As Kimble takes an elevated train to confront Nichols at the drug's presentation in a hotel, Sykes appears and attacks him. In the struggle, Sykes shoots a transit cop before being subdued and handcuffed to a pole by Kimble. Kimble arrives at the pharmacon conference and interrupts Nichols's speech, accusing him of falsifying his medical research and orchestrating his wife's murder. They fight while being chased through the hotel by the marshals and police. Gerard calls out to Kimble that he knows about Nichols' conspiracy. Nichols knocks out Renfro and takes his gun and attempts to shoot Gerard, but Kimble attacks him from behind, knocking him unconscious. Kimble surrenders to Gerard, who escorts him out of the hotel. Nichols and Sykes are arrested. Kimble is exonerated and driven from the crime scene by Gerard.

Tags: murder

Review:
This is my first 'Fugitive' film/movie/series I have seen, and it's so suspenseful.
Tim Daly does a great job with playing Dr. Richard Kimble...
It's great, and worth a watch!
The whole thing is well done and the acting is great, and these are the reasons I saw it from the first episode to the last.
I mean, all of us are in the mist and have exactly no idea what has happened to Kimble and that one-armed man!?.
The 2000 version of the '60s Fugitive TV series was one of the very few remakes that was actually good and refreshing.
Tim Daly was a fine Dr. Richard Kimble (the man wrongfully accused of murdering his wife), but no one could ever hold a candle to David Janssen's portrayal of the doctor on the run.
(Ironically, when this remake debuted in 2000, it had been a full 20 years since Janssen's untimely death.)But believe it or not, when I first heard about plans to remake the old Fugitive, I was convinced that it wouldn't last.
You know the old saying: "Been there, done that!" And I think that apathetic response played a role in the new Fugitive's premature cancellation.
In addition, the series aired on Fridays (one of the least watched TV nights).
Therefore, the show was axed after only one season.Worst of all, the last episode ended with a cliffhanger!
(WARNING: Stop reading here unless you want it given away!) An FBI man, supposedly tracking the one-armed man, shoots Lt. Gerard, and then corners Richard Kimble and the one-armed man.
No one really knows for sure if Kimble and/or the one-armed man were actually shot and killed.
Nor do we know for sure whether Gerard lived or died.It's a real shame that the cancellation of the new Fugitive wasn't confirmed until after production had officially wrapped for summer hiatus.
And unless the series is miraculously brought back or followed by a post-series TV-movie, we may never know what actually happened to the unfortunate doctor..
Bad news for fans of "The Fugitive".
As a child (although in many ways I'm STILL a child *L*), unlike my contemporaries, I grew up watching reruns of shows like "Batman," "I Dream Of Jeannie," "The Love Boat," "Star Trek" (original series), and, of course, "The Fugitive."When I first heard of a theatrical version starring Harrison Ford (who played Han Solo, the only character at the time that I liked from "Star Wars"), I jumped to see Dr. Kimble and the One-Armed Man make the leap to the big screen.
As if my excitement and expectation level wasn't high enough, I did cartwheels in my living room when I found out that the gorgeous Sela Ward was to play Helen Kimble and the great Tommy Lee Jones was to play the great U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard.
When I finally went to theatres to see the movie, was I disappointed?
Sure the film had the added bonuses of Joe Pantoliano, Andreas Katsulas (playing the bushy haired One-Armed Man, no less -- if you're a true fan of the original series you'll know why I mention the hair), and a cast of entertaining supporting characters.
Add to all that a series of great action sequences and you've got a great movie.
That something was all the subplots that appeared in every episode of the series (with the exception of the two-part series finale).
I did understand, though, that this was due to the fact that all the subplots would have taken away from the movie by not focusing enough on the main plot (the search for the One-Armed Man).
Definitely something that would make mainstream audience members looking for some entertainment look at their watches hoping it would end or simply doze off hoping someone would wake them once the end credits began to role.That was 1992.Flash forward to the year 2000 and Dr. Richard Kimble is back on the run.
This time the chase for the good doctor in search of his wife's one armed murderer is back on the small screen.
This time Dr. Kimble is portrayed by Tim Daly (of the series "Wings" and the voice of the Man of Steel in "Superman: The Animated Series"), Helen Kimble by Kelly Rutherford (best known as Megan Lewis Mancini McBride in "Melrose Place") and Lt. Philip Gerard (nice touch by whoever chose to return the original name) is portrayed by Mykelti Williamson (sorry, I never heard of him before).
This series chooses to take its basis from the movie rather than the original series.
This is not surprising since most TV viewers these days are surprised to hear that there was actually a series before the movie.
Not really since the movie added it's own twists and turns to the tale of Dr. Richard Kimble's search for his wife's killer.
Also, it had the potential to merge the movie's approach with that of the original series.
This series tends to focus on over-the-top action sequences (an obvious attempt to attract those only watched the movie the bus/train wreck featured prominently in the film's trailer) and only marginally focusing on Kimble's interaction with the different people he meets (and often helps) along his way towards the One-Armed Man and as he hides from Gerard's pursuit.
Sadder still is that all the character's are one-dimensional and end up being mere caricatures rather than the real people they were meant to be.
True he's Kimble's pursuer but he was simply a man who took his job seriously, not some super prick that has a vendetta against Kimble for reason's that are too ridiculous to believe (yes, many cops can be driven by ego but there's always a motive for that ego -- that's not present here).
Worse still, this only the first episode of the series and Kimble will already square off against the One-Armed Man in the next.But there are other reasons to dislike this new rendition of such a classic series.
I wouldn't be surprised if Povasic (or something similar) makes an appearance as a random plot point later in the series.In short, this is very bad news for old school "Fugitive" fans.
But what can you expect from a television season that has premiered crap like "Dark Angel" (I didn't need to watch that one to know how idiotic it'd be)?.
Along with C.S.I., this is the best new show of the season and the only one worthy of an audience.
Daly is great, and while I'm not wild about the casting of Gerard, I'll give it time.
Although I was slightly disappointed that the series is more an adaptation of the original and not the film (contrary to "other" reviews), it looks like it'll still work.
The dialogue between the two leads was great, and the opening sequence with flashbacks intercutting with Kimble's escape is the best sequence of a television series I have ever seen (and I've seen a lot).Great acting, great writing, great action and suspense, and great music all ad up for a great series that is the best of the new shows this Fall.
I too was very skeptical when a series that had an ending was brought back.
It seemed unwise at the time, but good acting and interesting new twists on an old theme made it work.
We reviewed all of the original stories from the first series and would be interested in having people review the 2000 version.
We also have two members who extended the series by writing fan fiction...and extending the story.Check out...http://TV.groups.yahoo.com/group/THE-FUGITIVE-VIEWS-AND-REVIEWS/ and feel free to join and be part of the discussion.bobbynear owner/moderator.
It's not too late for a follow-up movie (one with a decent ending).
I'm writing this on behalf of all the "Fugitive" TV show fans who were as disappointed as I was at the abrupt ending to the 2000/2001 show.
It's not too late to continue the saga even if it just means a single episode or TV movie.
Like so many others I am completely baffled at the media's obsession with ridiculous reality shows, while intelligent programs just keep getting pulled off the air.
"The Fugitive" was a well-acted, action-packed, FUN show that had a larger audience than the network seems to recognize.
Even Gilligan's Island had 3 made for TV movies long after the show ended.
Daly excellent, great series.
Anyway when you start with a great story remakes can be quite good.
But Daly is marvelous playing Kimble with Pathos.
I heard it was getting the axe, I at least hope they do get to finish the season with a series finale and not leave it without a conclusion.
This update of the Fugitive is by far the best new show of the 2000-2001 TV season and will hopefully be around for several more years to come.
It has everything you could ask for in an action series.I have never seen the old TV series so I can't compare to that, but I like this version with Tim Daly and Mykelti Williamson much better than the 1993 movie.
The Fugitive works a lot better as a TV series because everything can be extended rather than being crammed into a two-hour time period.
My entire family watches this show every week and it is one of the few times we all come together to watch the same show.If you only have one hour to dedicate to television each week this is the show you should be watching!.
I just wanted to say that this is the best show I have seen in a long, long time!
It is full of action, suspense, humanity, laughter(at times), and lots of good-looking people.
Especially the main character, Tim Daly, is the main reason that I watch the show.
The men out there would also like this show, especially if you are into a good and well thought out show.
I was hooked about five minutes into the first episode,(when he jumped off of the semi), that was the best!
This is the best version of the fugitive I have seen and I just wanted to say to the cast, production team, director, etc.
The best new series on television!.
Tim Daly does a great job and is very compelling.
I am a fan of the David Jansen Fugitive and I don't like remakes.
This series is so good with the great acting by the 2 stars and the location filming like the old Rt#66 show that I really enjoyed it.
I think that someone like that, with a rich voice, would help the end of each show.
I don't know a lot about the original series, being only 21 years old, but I saw the film version, and I love it.
This series is, in my opinion, even better than the movie!
Tim Daly is awesome as Dr. Kimble, and Mykelti Williamson from Forrest Gump, whose last series was Showtime's The Hoop Life, is just as good as the detective who will never end his pursuit of the wanted man.
Kimble, in the pilot befriends a building inspector, as he finds himself in Miami looking for the one armed one truly responsible for his wife's death.
You find yourself rooting for the good guy the entire time, Kimble.
It's a great show, and I think it will be around for some time.
I was never much of a fan of the original 1960s series, yet I was very skeptical about this new version since I couldn't see the point in topping or trying to top the original.
But, I gave it a try and after four episodes or so, I am hooked; I now look forward to Friday nights for the best hour on television in years.
Even though my generation knows the outcome of Dr. Kimble, the writing is so good that I find myself totally involved.
I also like Tim Daly's depths of emotion over David Janssen's stone faced expressions.
I think Daly is another reason that gives the show it's appeal.
The new "Fugitive" also makes CBS' previous action adventure "Early Edition" look thoroughly pathetic.
I'll keep watching the new "Fugitive" until it bores me, which I don't think is possible..
I have to warn you if you are a "common" TV watcher who don't like "strange" finals.
I just finished to see this series here in Italy.
The last episode of the series is a cliffhanger, because CBS cancelled the show before the end.
So, enjoy it because the series is VERY good, with good actors and plots, but forget to see how it will finish!
The last episodes gone to black screen leaving you with a lot of question to what happens.
I am really disappointed to this, but however the series was enjoying and after a couple of minutes you start to laugh about this...
well, this is the first series I see that finish this way!
even thou this excellent and thrilling show lasted only one season (each episode cost an average of $2 million to make) it proves that remakes can prove better than the originals.Tim Daly and the suspenseful storylines make this one of the best shows around.
Most people would recognize him as the best and only good voice of Superman in the WB cartoons.
Gerard is great too as well as the one armed man and the rest of the cast.Pity that the finale doesnt give us the final answer.
As it is one of the best finales you will ever see!
Good luck for everything else you do in the future Tim Daly..
Maybe it was the over hype, maybe it was that Tim Daly ("Wings") had to follow both David ("O") Jansen and Harrison ("Indy") Ford (Daly does a great job by the way, he's the best thing about the show, but he's no "O" or "Indy"), maybe it was because the "most expense hour in television" looked like an average episode of "NYPD Blue."  Hey...wasn't "Born Free...the series" the most expensive?
Tim and Melissa you should leave TV for good and do film only (and maybe Tim CAN be the next Ford).
I have not seen that new show with "Coach" playing a "D.A." so maybe that's cool, but otherwise, very chilly man, very chilly.
Better than the original TV series and the movie..
I do remember the original Fugitive TV series from the 1960's (and I've seen them recently on re-runs) and of course the Harrison Ford movie version which had a large special effects budget, but neither one drew me in like the new TV series.
It is very engaging and well done, much more so than the original TV series and the movie (special effects notwithstanding).
I had watched the first episode expecting it to be another loser like 95% of the shows on television (I only watch 3 other TV shows per week).
I give most shows 'one watch' and that's it, but this one really surprised me, I was hooked and have watched every episode without fail.
It seems to have much more of an air of humanity about it than the movie and not as morose as the TV series from the 60's.
Although I want Kimble to be found innocent I want the series to go on for a long time, something the movie could never do (two hours and it's over).
This story lends itself to being a series not a movie.
Best new series of 2000-01 Season, followed by CSI as #2 new series..
Okay, the original FUGITIVE television series with David Janssen was probably the greatest series ever put on television.
The movie with Harrison Ford was also a great movie.
Especially since the series finale to this one sucked the big green weenie.
And it seems like Kimble's motives for killing his wife (which he didn't) just keep getting weaker every time they recycle this series.
There were some good things in this series.
Tim Daly did an admirable job of playing the good doctor.
I like that they made Gerard a driven character, obsessed with his work because he couldn't save his wife from an automobile accident.
And the actor who played the one-armed man in this version bore an eerie resemblance to Bill Raisch.Unfortunately, the bad ruined the show completely.
First of all, Kimble is totally out of character in that episode.
He injects the one-armed man with some time activated poison or something and says it will kill him in a matter of hours and tries to drag him to Gerard to make a confession.
Kimble or the one-armed man?
I have commented before on television's tendency to amuse itself by giving us cheap shot endings to series finales, so I won't reheat that hash here.
All I will say is this is why I don't watch television often and instead watch videos and DVDs. I have quite a sizable collection now of great movies and a few shows from television's glory years.
And this series, or this version of a great series will most assuredly not be among my collection.
"The Fugitive" is no classic, but it was a good series nonetheless.
The individual episodes were great, it's just that they were so similar to each other!
Ever seen the same movie more than three or four times and just got sick of it?
That's what happened with this series...However, it was still entertaining, with a good score, tight direction and strong performances by the two leads.
However, due to mediocre ratings and a high cost ($2 million average per episode, making it the most expensive series on TV), CBS axed it after just one season.
And yes, there was a series finale rather than just finishing it without a conclusion, but it probably would've been better without the finale...
(possible spoiler), as Dr. Richard Kimble, played by Tim Daly, was just shot in an alleyway, clearly a last minute add on after the series was killed.