This movie is a searing indictment of how our society functions when we take the law into our own hands; how we try to one-up each other in mob groups and decide we can't back down until we do something we regret; how we jump to conclusions and information gets distorted when emotion gets in the way of communication. But more importantly, it's a powerful, unforgettable portrayal of innocence and injustice, making mistakes and living with regret.The camerawork, shot composition, and editing were well-done throughout, with some scenes of exceptional flourish and one in particular that blew me away (a long tracking shot after the titular moment that ends on shadows on the ground). The acting was also quite good by Henry Fonda, but also by some lesser-known actors. The minor characters were so richly developed and the town was magnificently textured, much in the same way as Rear Window (how there were intricate stories for the tenants being watched).
It seems like some scenes were added for no real reason (for example, the scene where Rose comes back to town married). The plot was also somewhat predictable; you knew what had to happen for the message to have any power or meaning. Even so, it was a tense 75 minutes, hoping and praying the men don't make the wrong decision.
IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036244/