@celeste_writes
A patient, formally daring work — the cinematography lingers on empty rooms longer than most audiences will tolerate, but those who stay are rewarded with the most haunting final act of the year.
Ralph Cotter, a ruthless criminal, escapes violently from a farm prison. Then, he seduces a dead inmate’s sister, gets back quickly into the crime business, faces corrupt local cops who run the city’s underworld and meets a powerful tycoon’s whimsical daughter.
Quick Stats
6.8
TMDB Rating
48
Votes
1h 43m
Runtime
—
Budget
—
Box Office
—
Return
Key Crew
DirectorGordon Douglas
WriterHarry Brown
CinematographyJ. Peverell Marley
ComposerCarmen Dragon
EditorTruman K. Wood
Production DesignWiard B. Ihnen
Produced by
William Cagney ProductionsWarner Bros. Pictures
Where to Watch
Free with Ads
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Critics & Reviews
3 featured@jhalberg
I walked in expecting another genre exercise and walked out feeling like I'd been eavesdropping on a confession. The lead performance is genuinely singular — a career-defining turn.
@priya_a
A few too many scenes feel borrowed from a better film, but the soundtrack and the production design carry the rest. Solid recommendation for fans of slow-burn European thrillers.
Cast
James Cagney
Ralph Cotter
Barbara Payton
Holiday Carleton
Helena Carter
Margaret Dobson
Ward Bond
Inspector Charles Weber
Luther Adler
Keith 'Cherokee' Mandon
Barton MacLane
Lieutenant John Reece
Steve Brodie
Joe 'Jinx' Raynor
Rhys Williams
Vic Mason
Herbert Heyes
Ezra Dobson
John Litel
Police Chief Sam Tolgate
William Frawley
Byers
Robert Karnes
Detective Tom Gray
Kenneth Tobey
Detective Tobey
Dan Riss
District Attorney
Frank Reicher
Darius 'Doc' Green
