The Fugitive (1993)

The Fugitive (1993) is an action-packed crime thriller directed by Andrew Davis, starring Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones in lead roles. The film is based on the 1960 television series of the same name and tells the story of Dr. Richard Kimble, a man wrongfully convicted of his wife’s murder, who escapes custody and is relentlessly pursued by U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard. With its high-stakes drama, suspenseful plot, and remarkable performances, The Fugitive became a critical and commercial success, securing its place as one of the most iconic action films of the 1990s.

The story follows Dr. Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford), a respected Chicago vascular surgeon, who is wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife, Helen (Sela Ward). After a daring escape from a prison transport bus following a crash, Kimble embarks on a quest to find his wife’s real killer and clear his name. Meanwhile, U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones) is ᴀssigned to track him down, leading to a cat-and-mouse chase that unfolds across various locations. As the film progresses, Kimble must outsmart Gerard while uncovering a conspiracy that goes much deeper than he initially realized.

A central theme of The Fugitive is the exploration of justice and the complexities of innocence. Richard Kimble’s pursuit of justice is not only about proving his innocence but also about exposing a system that failed him. Throughout the film, Kimble’s actions and persistence highlight the disparity between a person’s guilt and the truth, raising questions about the legal system, wrongful convictions, and the pursuit of justice. His determination to clear his name serves as a commentary on the lengths individuals must go to when the truth is obscured by powerful forces.

The dynamic between Harrison Ford’s character and Tommy Lee Jones’s portrayal of Marshal Gerard is a significant aspect of the film. Gerard is portrayed as a no-nonsense, determined lawman who will stop at nothing to catch Kimble, making him a formidable opponent. What makes their relationship interesting, however, is that while Gerard is relentless in his pursuit, he also gradually begins to question the circumstances surrounding Kimble’s case. This evolving dynamic adds a layer of depth to the film, with Gerard’s eventual realization that Kimble may be telling the truth. Their intense cat-and-mouse chase, full of close calls and narrow escapes, heightens the tension and suspense, keeping the audience on the edge of their seat.


The performances in The Fugitive elevate the film from a typical action-thriller to a gripping drama. Harrison Ford, known for his roles in action films, brings a compelling vulnerability and determination to the role of Dr. Richard Kimble. His portrayal of a man who must navigate both the law and a personal quest for justice is poignant and believable. Tommy Lee Jones, on the other hand, delivers a standout performance as U.S. Marshal Gerard. His portrayal of a tough, no-nonsense marshal, who begins to question his mission as the film progresses, earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. The chemistry between the two leads is palpable, making the film both thrilling and emotionally resonant.


The Fugitive expertly blends action and suspense, with thrilling chase scenes and heart-pounding moments that keep the audience captivated throughout. One of the most memorable sequences in the film is the bus crash, which sets the stage for Kimble’s escape and marks the beginning of the relentless pursuit. From narrow escapes in dark alleyways to tense confrontations with law enforcement, the film maintains a breakneck pace, ensuring that viewers are constantly engaged. The suspense is heightened by the film’s careful balance between Kimble’s personal quest and his attempt to avoid capture, making every move feel critical.


The Fugitive is a masterfully crafted action-thriller that combines thrilling suspense with complex characters and thought-provoking themes. The film’s exploration of justice, the relentless pursuit of truth, and the brilliant performances of Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones contribute to its lasting impact. With its expertly crafted narrative, edge-of-your-seat action, and moral dilemmas, The Fugitive remains one of the most compelling and memorable films in the genre, proving that the pursuit of justice can be both thrilling and deeply human.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain


Hoxne Hoard treasures. Photo by Helen Simonsson CC by SA-2.0
November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.
Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0
Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0
The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.
Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”
Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.
The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.
A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0
A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0
Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”
Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0
Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0
Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.
Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0
Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0
That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.
Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum
Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum
Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.
Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0
Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0
All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.

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