Desperate (1947)
Directed by Anthony Mann
Sub-Genres - Film Noir, Psychological Thriller |
Release Date - May 17, 1947 (USA - Unknown), Jun 20, 1947 (USA) |
Run Time - 73 min. |
Countries - United States |
MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Hal Erickson
With 1947's Desperate, a disturbing, noirish twist on traditional moral values, responsibility, and guilt, director Anthony Mann entered the ranks of class-A directors, though he'd still have to spend a few more years in "B" pictures. In his first important role, Steve Brodie plays newlywed trucker Steve Randall, who finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time during a fur robbery. Kidnapping Steve, the criminals, led by Walt Radak (Raymond Burr), threaten to mutilate Mrs. Randall (Audrey Long) unless Steve confesses to a murder committed by Radak's brother during the theft. Pretending to play along with the villains, Steve manages to escape with his wife in tow. The rest of the film is a prolonged chase, with the Randalls pursued by both the crooks and the cops. A surprise ending caps this film noir mini-classic, which is best appreciated when not seen in its computer-colorized version.
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Keywords
captive, captor, criminal, escape, gangster, on-the-run, terror, witness