Rife with metaphors for the human condition (or rather how we can’t truly be unconditioned), Fuller’s sure-handed direction and Morricone’s piano underscore one of the most unflinching yet heartfelt films to tackle racism. The message may be hammered down the viewer’s throat, but the matter-of-fact storytelling and to-the-point camerawork create a powerfully simple end result. Thanks to Criterion for finally getting this out to the clamoring public.