There’s so much pleasure in stumbling across a
relatively lesser known noir that turns out to be darker, grimmer, and more hardboiled
than one had been expecting. That this was also such a breezy ride through hell
and back, made the experience all the more worthwhile. The quintessential noir theme
of a man being forced to the edge of the rope by bad luck and the circumstances
was used to excellent effect by Andre De Toth – Steve Lacey (Gene Nelson), a reformed
criminal, leading a straight life with his lovely wife (Phyllis Kirk), is
coerced into being part of a planned bank robbery by the ruthless Doc Penny
(Ted de Corsia) and his psychotic henchmen (including one played by a very
young Charles Bronson). Sergeant Sims (Sterling Hayden), a no-nonsense
detective who regularly resorts to realpolitik in order to pursue his belief in
end justifying the means, turns a blind eye to Lacey’s pleas of innocence as
all he cares about is getting hold of a gang of serial robbers (Doc Penny and
his guys) who have killed a cop. Thus ensues Lacey’s torment as his life starts
sliding downward real fast. Hayden delivered a superb and near-explosive turn –
one of the best of his career – as the jaded and cynical cop whose layer of
humanity is concealed under his hardened exterior. Nelson and Corsia too gave
eminently watchable turns. The film was excellently paced, with very well
defined character arcs despite the crisp length, thus speaking volumes about
the effectiveness of the script – more so given the action-packed nature of the
serpentine and immensely engaging plot. Great atmosphere was also created
thanks to the expert photography.
Director: Andre De Toth
Genre: Thriller/Crime Thriller/Film Noir
Language: English
Country: US
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