Watch The Reckoning

The Reckoning, released in 1932, is a drama film that tells the story of a family who is struggling to keep their land and their way of life. It is set during the early 1900s in rural America and centers around a family of farmers, the Haskells. The film begins with the death of the head of the family, Abner Haskell (Edmund Breese). With Abner gone, his son Jim (James Murray) takes over the family farm and tries to keep it afloat.

However, things take a turn for the worse when the local banker (Phillips Smalley) begins pressuring Jim to pay back a loan that his father had taken out. Jim refuses, as he believes the bank is trying to take advantage of his family's unfortunate circumstance. The banker responds by taking legal action against the Haskell family and seizing their land.

The film then follows Jim's journey as he tries to fight back against the bank and keep his family's land. Along the way, he meets Betty (Sally Blane), a woman who he falls deeply in love with. Together, they work to find a way to save the farm and keep their way of life intact.

Throughout the film, there are many themes explored, including the struggle of the working-class farmer, the power of the banks and wealthy elite in society, and the importance of love, family, and community. The Reckoning also explores the concept of what it means to be a man in patriarchal society, as Jim struggles to balance the responsibilities of being a provider for his family with his own desires and emotions.

The film's setting plays a significant role in the story, as it highlights the difficulties that farmers faced during this time period. The harshness of rural life, combined with the constant threat of losing land and livelihoods, creates a feeling of tension and sadness that permeates throughout the movie. The Reckoning also shows the extent to which people would go to in order to protect what is rightfully theirs, even if it meant risking their lives and their freedom.

Sally Blane delivers a standout performance as Betty, the spunky and independent love interest of Jim. Betty is a strong and supportive character who challenges Jim to confront his own shortcomings and become a better man. James Murray also delivers a nuanced and emotional performance as Jim, a man who is torn between his duty to his family and his own desires.

The Reckoning is a powerful film that explores some of the most pressing issues facing rural America during the early 1900s. Its themes of class struggle, the power of the wealthy elite, and the importance of love and family are just as relevant today as they were almost 90 years ago. The film is a reminder that the fight for justice, equality, and freedom is a timeless struggle, and that the only way to succeed is to do it together.

The Reckoning is a 1932 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 3 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.8.