After returning home from World War I, James Allen, played to the teeth by theater veteran Paul Muni, dreams of becoming an engineeer but instead can only find employment in a shoe factory. After leaving this job, Allen becomes a penniless vagabond, unable even to hawk his war medals. But when Allen witnesses another man commit a crime, he is mistakenly committed to 10 years on a Georgia chain gang, where he is cruelly beaten by the sadistic guards. With the help of a fellow inmate, Allen escapes to pursue his dream of becoming an engineer. Unfortunately, the awful past lies in wait, preparing to return Allen to misery. I AM A FUGITIVE FROM A CHAIN GANG was one of the first talkies to foment for social change and justice. At the same time, the purity of the script and the actors' performances give it a place among the most depressing films ever made. In spite of its dour message, the film was a huge box-office success, won an Oscar for Best Picture, and continues to be revered to this day.