Crossfire (1947) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐.5

Stark, claustrophobic thriller about an anti-Semitic soldier who kills a war veteran, evading detection by dint of his loyal friends’ protection. However, a detective is determined that the crime will not go unsolved and sets about laying a trap for the murderer.

Starring: Robert Young, Gloria Grahame, Robert Mitchum and Robert Ryan

I haven’t read the book that this was based on, but I did read that there was a pretty major change made to adapt it from page to screen, because it was something that couldn’t get away with being shown on film yet. Even with the change they had to make though, I was still very impressed with this. I consider this to be a very brave film. The three Roberts, Young, Mitchum, and Ryan, were all great in this. There isn’t really one main character in this movie, it’s more of an ensemble piece. There are other actors who constantly come in and out of the picture, but each of their characters contributes to the story in some way. I can’t say that a lot of noir films managed to make me feel uncomfortable with what I was seeing, but this succeeded, but saying why would be spoiling it. Not a lot of noirs are contenders for best picture, but I can see why this did get nominated. It’s one of the most mature films of the genre I have come across so far.

Ray Walton

Neurodivergent movie lover. Here to share reviews for horror and non horror movies that fall into the “Dark Cinema” category.