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The Mark of the Hawk is an earnest and well-intentioned social issues drama that, from a modern perspective, is perhaps a bit more interesting as an example of racial issues in 1957 than as drama. Not that Mark is by any means a bad movie; it is, in fact, a movie that is quite involving and often affecting. It's simply that it has a tendency to slip into speechifying and "point making" rather than letting its message come through in a more subtle manner. It also should be said that its ending is a bit too much, and its oversimplification of complex sociopolitical issues will also bother some viewers. However, there is a great deal of heart and conviction in the movie, and these factors go a long way toward making a viewer willingly overlook the aforementioned flaws. It helps, of course, that Mark has the charismatic Sidney Poitier in its leading role. Poitier is mesmerizing, handling the sometimes swift character changes which the script demands with aplomb and making it seem natural for his character to behave in this way. He also knows how and when to underplay and how and when to go for the gold in his acting, and it's a treat to see him carry this movie. Also impressive is John McIntire in a pivotal role. Eartha Kitt, rather cast against type here, is good but not outstanding, and her singing, while most welcome, is rather shoehorned in to the film.