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Force of Evil

Play trailer Poster for Force of Evil 1948 1h 18m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 19 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
In New York City, unscrupulous lawyer Joe Morse (John Garfield), has the opportunity to make it big by teaming up with cutthroat gangster Ben Tucker (Roy Roberts) to consolidate the numbers racket. The only hitch in the plan is Morse's brother, Leo (Thomas Gomez), who refuses to involve his bank in the plan. As a result, Leo's bank would go from being saved to being another casualty in Morse and Tucker's thirst for power. Now, Morse must choose between money and family.
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Force of Evil

Critics Reviews

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Bosley Crowther New York Times Aug 8, 2006
4/5
For all its unpleasant nature, it must be said that this film is a dynamic crime-and-punishment drama, brilliantly and broadly realized. Go to Full Review Don Druker Chicago Reader Jan 1, 2000
A poetic, terse, beautifully exact, and highly personal re-creation of the American underworld, with an unpunctuated Joycean screenplay by Polonsky that is perhaps unique in the American cinema. Go to Full Review Pedro Gallego Espinof Jun 11, 2026
5/5
The complexity of the characters, the marvelous staging propelled by excellent black-and-white cinematography, and a truly revolutionary Garfield in his use of his attributes sustains 'Force of Evil' as an incredible work. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault Nov 23, 2022
A
Bitter vision of postwar urban inhumanity. Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Sep 15, 2022
4/4
Abraham Polonsky takes an unflinching jab at America’s all-consuming capitalism, powerfully links the film’s themes with its noirish visual treatment and cutting, and uses poetic dialogue that has the gravitas of a Greek tragedy. Go to Full Review Dennis Harvey 48 Hills Mar 28, 2022
A peak John Garfield vehicle. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Allan C @RT15713161 Jul 6, 2026 Anti-capitalist film noir Force of Evil (1948) **** Force of Evil blends hard-boiled film noir with a sharp critique of greed and corruption, giving the genre an unusually political edge. John Garfield is excellent, and Abraham Polonsky's literate script and striking visuals make for a compelling, if occasionally uneven, crime drama. One of noir's more distinctive and thought-provoking entries. SEE LETTERBOXED FOR FULL REVIEW See more Mark H @Zeppo Oct 6, 2025 Younger Garfield better than the material. There's nothing Noir about a sleazy lawyer getting his comeuppance. See more Jesse T @Jess800 Sep 5, 2024 A decent film noir that highlights John Garfield's command of the craft. Builds slowly and doesn't hook you in like other classic film noirs, but eventually picks up in the last third that makes it worth a view. See more Peter G @Petermovielover Aug 28, 2024 Virtually ignored at the time of its release this remains one of the most quietly powerful & significant films of is decade. An unusual product for an MGM release, certainly then. I view it as one of Hollywood‘s greatest achievements as well & Garfield‘s most complex characterization. It’s a well thought out study of the corruption in the numbers rackets at the time & is notably vivid for all 75 or so minutes of its length. Others in the cast do notable work as well especially an actress named Beatrice Pearson who only appeared in one other film, as far as I know. Her sympathetic character‘s interaction Garfield‘s character is suitably complex & I would have sought out her other film portrayals if any were available. I believe she gravitated more to the theater. This superb film was Abraham Polansky‘s last film, I think, before he was blacklisted & was not able to work again as a director until some 20 years later. Reviewed by Peter Graham See more nick s @Nick_S Jul 8, 2024 Quality production. Original story idea. See more Leaburn O @RT35452347 Jan 17, 2024 Pretty bang average light gangster film from back in the day. Hard to find anything remarkable about it and imagine I'll have entirely forgotten it by next week. Found it to watch on YouTube. See more Read all reviews
Force of Evil

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Cast & Crew

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Abraham Polonsky

Director

John Garfield

Joe Morse

Beatrice Pearson

Doris Lowry

Thomas Gomez

Leo Morse

Howland Chamberlain

Freddie Bauer

Roy Roberts

Ben Tucker

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Force of Evil

Force of Evil (1948) Force of Evil (1948) Force of Evil (1948) Force of Evil (1948) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In New York City, unscrupulous lawyer Joe Morse (John Garfield), has the opportunity to make it big by teaming up with cutthroat gangster Ben Tucker (Roy Roberts) to consolidate the numbers racket. The only hitch in the plan is Morse's brother, Leo (Thomas Gomez), who refuses to involve his bank in the plan. As a result, Leo's bank would go from being saved to being another casualty in Morse and Tucker's thirst for power. Now, Morse must choose between money and family.
Director
Abraham Polonsky
Producer
Bob Roberts
Screenwriter
Abraham Polonsky, Ira Wolfert
Distributor
Republic Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 25, 1948, Original
Release Date (DVD)
May 11, 2004
Runtime
1h 18m
Sound Mix
Mono
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