Fate Is the Hunter (1964)

The title of Ernest K. Gann's book and a few incidents make their way into the film of Fate is the Hunter, but very little else. Instead, a fairly standard Hollywood-type plot has been grafted onto it; while it's not told the greatest story very told, it is more than serviceable and does make for an entertaining, occasionally engrossing, airplane flick. Fate would have been even better if some of its incidents had been a bit more inherently dramatic or offered greater introspection. They're all fine and they all do what they're supposed to, but few of them do a great deal more. Still, director Ralph Nelson does a good job bringing all the strands of the story together and building suspense and tension. Even if the final resolution has been made a bit too obvious early on, it still makes an impact. Nelson is helped by Glenn Ford's quietly commanding performance and Rod Taylor's flashier one, as well as able support from the always welcome Suzanne Phleshette. There's also some fine work from Wally Cox and Mark Stevens. But Nelson's biggest help comes from Milton Krasner, whose photography is of immense help all the way through. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide