MovieChat Forums > Act of Violence (1948) Discussion > Wonderful film! A real gem!

Wonderful film! A real gem!

posted 19 years ago by ktrek
13 replies | jump to latest

Act of Violence (1948)

This was a wonderful discovery! Yesterday I was home sick with the flu and TCM just happened to be playing several Van Heflin films throughout the day and this aired sometime late morning/early afternoon. One of the finest film noirs I have seen and wished I had recorded it. :bang:

The film stars Van Helfin as Frank R. Enley as a former war vet. Now adjusted to civilian life with a wife (Janet Leigh) and child. Living in a nice home in a quaint suburban town. Life seems very happy and rosy for Enley until one of his war buddies shows up at the door. Robert Ryan does a superb job playing Joe Parkson, a disabled vet who's commanding officer during the war was Frank Enley. What we soon come to learn is, unbeknown to Enley's wife or anyone else for that matter, that Enley had betrayed his men by informing the commanding CO of the Nazi POW camp they were interned in that the boys had dug a tunnel and were planning a breakout. With good intentions he believed he was trying to save lives but knew in his heart that the Nazi CO would kill the escapees and did. All except Parkson who survived. Parkson, the only one who knew the truth of what Enley had done was now tracking him down to kill him and seek justice and revenge for the betrayal.

The film gets very heavy and intense at times and Ryan is absolutely creepy as he drags his injured leg across the ground and you can hear him coming. This movie reminds me a lot of Cape Fear but in some ways perhaps is better.

There is also a remarkable performance by Mary Astor as a barroom floozy who helps Enley escape Parkson temporarily. What's amazing is to find out that at the same time she was filming this movie she was also filming her role in Little Women where she played Marmee March. Two completely opposite roles and yet she does them to perfection.

The movie has a tragic but somewhat redemptive ending. A must see!

I give this 3 1/2 out of 4 stars

Kevin

If you enjoy discussing classic films then come and join the Golden Age of Hollywood Message Board! It's the best place on the web to discuss the classics. Period! Check out http://www.goldenageofhollywood.com

[–] shepardjessica-1 19 years ago

I recently saw this on TCM. Always love Robert Ryan and Janet Leigh was so young and lovely. This made my Top 10 of 1948. Yes, Astor was great.

[–] morphytal 18 years ago

Great story, great acting. One of the best film noir ever.

[–] archer1949 18 years ago

This movie was STUNNING!

"Penis Canes Are Murder." Dr. Gregory House

[–] csu16387 17 years ago

I agree, it's a terrific film. Heflin, Ryan, Leigh, and especially Astor were terrific. I try to catch it whenever it's on TCM.

"Dry your eyes baby, it's out of character."

[–] Noir-It-All 17 years ago

I received it as part of a set for Christmas. I finally watched it today. I am glad someone made this film, which explored the terrible deals people have to make to stay alive and stop being hungry.

"Two more swords and I'll be Queen of the Monkey People." Roseanne

[–] majra 17 years ago

I watched it the other night and it was a great experience. I had read some favourable remarks on a board, but by the time I watched it I had forgotten who had directed the film or which actors appeared, except for Robert Ryan (I'm quite a fan, by the way). So it was something I hadn't experienced for some time, watching a film with no info about it in mind and almost no preconceptions (as in the beginning we only get to know the name of the film). So when I was thinking what an interesting plot it had or how much I was enjoyng the cinematography or how the actors were 'directed' I'm sure for once I was not influenced by the director's prestige. A great film, I hope it gets the credit it deserves, there with more popular noir films.

[–] thistledown-2 16 years ago

And Miss Astor looked younger in this than she did in
Maltese Falcon done 11 years earlier..the reason is her
hair was long in this one....

[–] freakyfelix 16 years ago

Yes, I agree. This is very good film noir.
Great acting, story, and direction.

[–] Mr_McLaurel 16 years ago

It reminds me of Cape Fear quite a bit as well - I'll agree that this is clearly the superior film. This is a movie even among noirs that really embraces the theme of the dark side of America. 10/10.

What's the Spanish for drunken bum?

[–] gnolti 16 years ago

Hidden gem indeed. I almost did not recognize Janet Leigh (she was so damned young) OR Mary Astor (who was so damned old, or at least looked it). Van Heflin AND Robert Ryan. How could such an effective quartet of legends -- all with excellent chemistry -- not be better known?

There, daddy, do I get a gold star?

[–] Maestro-15 15 years ago

Thanks to TCM for showing these hidden gems. Its nice to see another often untold perspective of what some GI's experienced in WW2...Robert Ryan and Van Heflin were both great in their roles....I didn't recognize Mary Astor since she she looks so different from the Maltese Falcon but she gave a fine performance as well...

[–] Noir-It-All 14 years ago

Sad, sad, sad. But, so honest about what it means to be a survivor - you are left with nightmares.

I love the beginning, showing the Empire State Building looming behind Robert Ryan as he leaves his boarding house.

"Two more swords and I'll be Queen of the Monkey People." Roseanne

[–] Consul_Incitatus 14 years ago

I was amazed by how good this was - one of my favorite noirs now.