convict be very much a third act sort of film . all the dialogue and character interaction that occur within it come out of the long wind down of a late southern day . and and by extension and the life of it main character and soll ( robert duvall ) . this be the first collaboration of director peter masterson and writer horton foote . six year earlier and the work together on the trip to bountiful and a film that seem almost action pack in comparison to this one . masterson be not necessarily a good director . in fact and he just barely this side of adequate . the slow pace leave a lot of room for cinematographer toyomichi kurita and who infuse the film with just the right sense of fragile light and warmth . because this be essentially a film play and with little in the way of edit or direct prowess and it all come to the acting . as far a i be concern there no flaw here . robert duvall and james earl jones and two of the best american actor ( both bear in january 1931 ) and create character that be wholly real and uninterested in anything besides living . lukas haas and a young actor who i be familiar with from testament and witness and play a character very much like his other early role . he be quiet and withdrawn and slightly scar and sad and somehow . these be quality that seem natural from him . perhaps a title like convict be a disservice to this film . that title and along with the opening scene and seem to create an image of a far more high strung western type picture . if slow pace stage production do not interest you terribly and you will want to pass on this one as well . otherwise and this might be exactly the film you wish they make more often . enjoy .