Nightfall

Play trailer

Nightfall

1956

1h 18m

Crime

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

9 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

In rural Wyoming, James Vanning (Aldo Ray) aids stranded motorists John (Brian Keith) and Red (Rudy Bond). But after James finds out that the men just pulled off a huge bank heist, they try to kill him. When a harsh storm suddenly hits, the crooks lose their loot, and James manages to escape to Los Angeles, where he goes into hiding. He receives an unwelcome visit, however, from John and Red, who believe that James knows more about their lost money than he's letting on.

David Fear

Time Out

06/09/2010

3/5

The kind of pedigreed pulp that gets left off greatest-genre-hits lists yet still inspires motormouthed overpraising from directorial enthusiasts.

Go to Full Review

J. Hoberman

Village Voice

06/08/2010

Not only a nifty late noir but a model of economical filmmaking -- well-sketched atmosphere, deft characterizations, and a 78-minute running time.

Go to Full Review

Simon Abrams

Slant Magazine

06/07/2010

3/4

In spite of that tantalizing potential, Nightfall will always just be a promising B picture.

Go to Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Apr 27

3/4

...a tight, mostly engrossing film noir that benefits substantially from its appealingly mysterious atmosphere...

Go to Full Review

Rob Aldam

Backseat Mafia

05/31/2019

Jacques Tourneur has great fun playing with and subverting noir tropes.

Go to Full Review

Michael E. Grost

Classic Film and Television

08/09/2007

Uneven thriller with some fine set pieces and beautiful photography.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Mark H.

@Zeppo Oct 19

Discount 'North by Northwest', with worse acting and fewer surprises.

See more

tucker s

@tucker83014 Oct 11

Not a bad noir film. The main criticism I have is that I grew up in Moose, Wyoming, the town around which the plot is based. They completely butchered every aspect of Moose, Wyoming; 100% phony....

See more

Cohil P

@cohil Sep 1

This movie is subherb - against all expectations with fine suspense and astanoshing dialogs - bluray version shows the brillant photography. It's definitly a must-see for fans of film noir and a gift to all Tourneuer-connoisseurs. Played it twice directly from the end. Tourneur not only makes clear what's the temperature of air is, he also let flow real blood through the vains of his characters. Pure enjoyment.

See more

Salah A

@RT66653806 Aug 7

Well acted, and well paced. A couple of unexpected plot twists makes this enjoyable watching. Not quite a classic. But, a good solid crime thriller.

See more

Brian K

@RT61960472 05/19/2025

Entertaining and suspenseful film noir. Great cinematography in stunning black and white. The movie Fargo must have been influenced by Nightfall.

See more

Luca D

@JoeCamel7 04/06/2025

Definitely a solid noir. Acting is a bit rough at first but the movie picks up it's pace very quickly and smooths out it's rough patches. The plot isn't all that deep or twisting. Definitely fun to watch and is shot pretty well. The ending is pretty satisfying. Not a crazy standout noir but I enjoyed it.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Jacques Tourneur

Director

Aldo Ray

James Vanning

Brian Keith

John

Anne Bancroft

Marie Gardner

Jocelyn Brando

Laura Fraser

James Gregory

Ben Fraser

View more photos

Synopsis

In rural Wyoming, James Vanning (Aldo Ray) aids stranded motorists John (Brian Keith) and Red (Rudy Bond). But after James finds out that the men just pulled off a huge bank heist, they try to kill him. When a harsh storm suddenly hits, the crooks lose their loot, and James manages to escape to Los Angeles, where he goes into hiding. He receives an unwelcome visit, however, from John and Red, who believe that James knows more about their lost money than he's letting on.

Director: Jacques Tourneur
Producer: Ted Richmond
Screenwriter: Stirling Silliphant
Production Co: Copa Productions
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Oct 19, 2010
Runtime: 1h 18m