Nov 25, 2020

A master class in lean, no-bullshit filmmaking, Ida Lupino's highly influential noir strips away the cinematic excesses that would drag down many subsequent takes on the sociopath terrorizing hostages plot. Clocking in at a tight 71 minutes, Lupino shows a deft hand at developing characters and building tension, while never leaving the audience feeling cheated for more. This would make a great double feature with The Sadist.

A master class in lean, no-bullshit filmmaking, Ida Lupino's highly influential noir strips away the cinematic excesses that would drag down many subsequent takes on the sociopath terrorizing hostages plot. Clocking in at a tight 71 minutes, Lupino shows a deft hand at developing characters and building tension, while never leaving the audience feeling cheated for more. This would make a great double feature with The Sadist.

Sep 21, 2020

Between 2.5 and 3 stars. If it would have kept a little more tension in the plot, it would have been a great product.

Between 2.5 and 3 stars. If it would have kept a little more tension in the plot, it would have been a great product.

Sep 20, 2020

This is a simple, direct thriller with a lot of tension. Talman's performance is excellent and realistic as a very, very bad guy. The early 50's feel, the great close-ups, and the desert scenery add the on-screen elements to a basic human story of hapless, innocent good versus professional evil.

This is a simple, direct thriller with a lot of tension. Talman's performance is excellent and realistic as a very, very bad guy. The early 50's feel, the great close-ups, and the desert scenery add the on-screen elements to a basic human story of hapless, innocent good versus professional evil.

Dec 31, 2019

Ida Lupino was severely underrated as a director and storyteller.

Ida Lupino was severely underrated as a director and storyteller.

May 06, 2019

Good for it day...not good this day, think Blobbo.

Good for it day...not good this day, think Blobbo.

Jan 26, 2019

The best thrilling movie ever made!

The best thrilling movie ever made!

Oct 09, 2018

Tough, no nonsense thriller with a good male-only cast (but by a female director!) was certainly a shocker at its time, but seems now a bit meek compared to today's standards.

Tough, no nonsense thriller with a good male-only cast (but by a female director!) was certainly a shocker at its time, but seems now a bit meek compared to today's standards.

Sep 12, 2018

Ida Lupino directed this tough little pot-boiler of a thriller about 2 regular guys on a fishing trip who get kidnapped by one psychologically scarred piece of work for a cross-country trip via automobile. Everything's good here, everything, the direction, the acting, the writing ... a great noir.

Ida Lupino directed this tough little pot-boiler of a thriller about 2 regular guys on a fishing trip who get kidnapped by one psychologically scarred piece of work for a cross-country trip via automobile. Everything's good here, everything, the direction, the acting, the writing ... a great noir.

Aug 06, 2018

Taut, tense and spare thriller. Not a wasted word. You don't need blood and vulgarity to make an effective thriller, just talent. Ida Lupino had that in spades.

Taut, tense and spare thriller. Not a wasted word. You don't need blood and vulgarity to make an effective thriller, just talent. Ida Lupino had that in spades.

Sep 10, 2017

It was something new for the time, but didn't age well.

It was something new for the time, but didn't age well.