The Intruder (1962)

Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

This is ultimately a movie about the very bad things that can happen when we don't address our unease, when we just try to brush it off, whether that's to fit in or to preserve our self-image.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Hailed as Roger Corman's best movie 'The Intruder' tells a story about radical racist Adam Cramer (scary performance by William Shatner) who arrives into small Southern town where through his machinations incites white people to racial violence. Daring and unique, not only in Corman's filmography, but in general - rarely a film is so honest and gritty while depicting burning social problems without being one bit preachy about it. No wonder Corman had difficulties to finance the film and why it did poorly at the box office. Until that time 'The Intruder' was only Corman's movie to loose money.The film is worth to watch only for William Shatner who gives performance of a lifetime as sly and vicious spokesman (social worker, as his character calls himself). I got shivers down my spine when he made hate speech, or when he crumbled down in fear when facing the force stronger than him. One of the greatest movie villains ever. Ending is just fantastic when we see the shame on the peoples faces when they realize what they had almost done under the spell of charismatic hate monger. It gives us warning that no matter what is someone's personal views, but things turn really dangerous when someone manages to spread hate and fear into masses.'The Intruder' is one of those film that needs wider recognition. Most of the filmmakers (and Hollywood) need to watch this film and learn how to make socially significant movie.

It is very little wonder that the Roger Corman production of 'The Intruder' is a very rarely seen 1962 film about integration in the South. The usually affable William Shatner plays a prototype David Duke character, he's even seen cavorting with KKK members in their motorcades.The dialog is full of words certainly too 'offensive' by today's PC standards. The dreaded 'n' word is repeated countless times. Along with 'jigs' and 'coons', the dialogue, though 'offensive' to today's ultra-hip millennials, is gritty and real for its time. I would suggest that 'The Intruder' is a very honest, hard-hitting film, where 'To Kill A Mockingbird' is sentimental and romantic. (I am quite aware that 'Mockingbird' is on so many people's 'favorite' lists. Excuse me.)Personally, I think this no holds barred story about the days of school integration is totally believable and I'm impressed with the fine screenplay of Charles Beaumont, who is more famously noted for his brilliant short stories and 'Twilight Zone' scripts. He has a small role towards the end of the film. As far as our beloved 'PC' world, the internet is a valuable tool for finding films of this ilk. For all I know, the movie may be available on DVD. But I personally had never heard of the title, and I'm familiar with much of Beaumont's and Shatner's work.It doesn't have a happy ending. Why would it?

I watched this for free at YouTube. I was expecting cardboard characters and clichés from the mouth of a virtually unknown William Shatner.William Shatner is brilliant. Charleton Heston or Burt Lancaster or Gregory Peck could not have done better.In a confrontation scene between Shatner and Leo Gordon the tension builds to a magnificent and believable ending. Each actor and actress is wonderful. The local townsfolk come across as the real thing.This is a movie about racism that does not have a filter. Nothing is corrected to protect the ears of the viewer and listener. Not all white folks are bad or stupid or anything. This was an era. These are the kinds of people we might find dealing with a national issue. Some of the people black and white wanted integration and some were opposed and some were violently opposed.I don't think there is a more accurate movie about the times represented here. There are bigger budget movies.This one is too bold for TV. Maybe the internet will bring it back to some top ten lists. Well worth watching.

I was in 12th Grade on Long Island, New York, when this film was released in 1962. I discovered this today on EPIX cable. It's a remarkable portrayal of what was happening at the time during the John Kennedy Presidency (before the Civil Rights Movement). Everyone in the New York area knew it was dangerous to travel to the deep South.I was surprised to see William Schatner played Adam Cramer. I couldn't think of who this actor could be, but the performance was very strong. So, this explains what Schatner was doing before Star Trek premiered on television. I am wondering if this was Schatner's first film, and, of course, Corman was such a remarkable director.