Both of tonight's films are models of tight, virtually minimalist filmmaking. John Ford's modestly budgeted "art film" defied most of Hollywood's conventions and carried off four Oscars; today it stands as a landmark in film history. Set against the Sinn Fein Rebellion in Dublin in 1922, the entire story takes place in a period of twelve hours. Victor McLaglen gives the performance of a lifetime as the slow-witted Gypo Nolan who betrays his friend Frankie to the police in exchange for twenty quid, his ticket to America. The film chronicles Gypo's blind treachery, his celebration on the proceeds and the way his fate comes full circle when the money is spent. Ford's interpretation of the Liam O'Flaherty novel relies almost entirely on poetic visuals (e.g. Gypo's hulking, doomed shadow on the fog shrouded streets) contrasted with sparse and realistic dialogue. Ford's experiment in expressionism (shot on an RKO soundstage) reflects interestingly on the deceptively casual visual poetics for which he became known.