AllMovie

Compared to Fritz Lang's German films, and most of his American ones as well, Beyond a Reasonable Doubt is surprisingly dull visually. Constricted by a tight budget, Lang was forced to sacrifice his penchant for richly detailed visual designs and satisfy himself with making a competent suspense picture hampered only by some wooden acting, particularly on the part of lead Dana Andrews. Despite its lack of dazzle, the film is still filled with signature Langian moments. The plot hinges on one of his most vicious twists of fate, and although a final plot twist requires a suspension of disbelief of near-heroic proportions, Beyond a Reasonable Doubt remains compelling right up to the end.