Product description

Crossfire [1947] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Price: £8.83
Average customer rating: 4.0

Binding : DVD
EAN : 9780780650688
ISBN : 0780650689
Label : Warner Home Video
Manufacturer : Warner Home Video
Publisher : Warner Home Video
Release date : 2005-07-05
Title : Crossfire [1947] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Actor : Array
Format : Array
Languages : Array
Number of items : 1
Original release date : 1947-01-01
Region code : 1
Running time : 86
Studio : Warner Home Video
Theatrical releaseDate : 1947-07-22
MPN : DT7249D

Customer reviews

review by: 1000_pages date: 2004-05-08 rating:

A good watch with a gratifying end
World War II is over and the soldiers are returning home. However home as a source of comfort has been abandoned. They have returned to a dark, shady, and even seedy reality, an element of the film that is masterfully illustrated through its use of cinematography and mise en scene. America's colour has drained away as we watch the story unravel in black and white. It is for this reason, as well as the murder mystery storyline, that the film is classed as being a Film Noir.

A man is sitting in a bar having a drink when he strikes up a conversation with the soldiers next to him. He soon invites them back to his house for a nightcap. Upon arriving at his home the man is killed. Why? Because he is Jewish. An investigation into his death ensues. The 3 soldiers he invited back are obviously the chief suspects. Enter Captain Finlay (played by Robert Young) to investigate. However of the 3 suspects only 1 is guilty and Finlay mistakenly fingers the wrong guy. Enter Sergeant Kelley (played by Robert Mitchum) to clear his friend's name and help Finlay find the real culprit.

The anti-Semitic issues tackled in this film are what gives it a strong place in film history. Previously to this anti-Semitism was a taboo subject and could therefore not be shown on film. Another reason for its importance lies in the fact it was one of the first Social Problem films. By speaking out about anti-Semitism the director Edward Dmytryk (one of the original blacklisted Hollywood ten) is at the same time commenting on America's bleak post-war mentality.

At the time of its release the film was controversial but gradually became a hit. It was nominated for the best picture Oscar but unfortunately lost out to Gentlemen's Agreement. It is a great Film Noir that has the most gratifying ending.

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