On Dangerous Ground

Critics Consensus

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94%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 18

80%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 1,153

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Movie Info

Robert Ryan plays Jim Wilson, a tough police detective embittered by years of dealing with low-life urban scum, in Nicholas Ray's moving film noir. After severely beating several suspects, Jim is assigned to a case far from the city to find the killer of a young girl. Joining the manhunt, in snow-covered terrain, Wilson finds himself paired with the victim's father, Walter Brent (Ward Bond), who plans to shoot the killer himself. When the two men come upon a cabin occupied by Mary Malden (Ida Lupino), a blind woman who is also the killer's sister, Wilson's life is changed forever. Mary, a generous and loving person who has cared for her mentally ill brother Danny (Sumner Williams) since the death of their parents, convinces Wilson to protect Danny from Brent. Wilson also promises to get help for Danny if he surrenders to him. Inspired by Mary's courage and recognizing Brent's rage as the mirror image of his own, Wilson gains the insight to free himself from his own blindness. The film includes a memorable score by Alfred Hitchcock favorite Bernard Herrmann. ~ Rovi

Cast

Robert Ryan
as Jim Wilson
Ida Lupino
as Mary Malden
Ward Bond
as Walter Brent
Charles Kemper
as Pop Daly
Anthony Ross
as Pete Santos
Ed Begley Sr.
as Capt. Brawley
Ian Wolfe
as Carrey
Sumner Williams
as Danny Malden
Gus Schilling
as Lucky
Frank Ferguson
as Willows
Cleo Moore
as Myrna
Olive Carey
as Mrs. Brent
Richard Irving
as Bernie
Pat Prest
as Julie
Bill Hammond
as Fred
Gene Persson
as Boy
Tommy Gosser
as Boy
Ronnie Garner
as Boy
Dee Garner
as Boy
Harry Joel Weiss
as Boy
Ruth Lee
as Helen
Kate Lawson
as Woman
Esther Zeitlin
as Woman
William Challee
as Thug
Eddie Borden
as Man
Steve Roberts
as Man
Budd Fine
as Man
Michael Lally
as Man
Donald Dillaway
as Man
Al Murphy
as Man
Art Dupuis
as Man
Frank Arnold
as Man
Homer Dickinson
as Man
Ken Terrell
as Crook
W.J. O'Brien
as Hotel Clerk
Nita Talbot
as Woman in Bar
Joe Devlin
as Bartender
Jim Drum
as Stretcher Bearer
A.I. Bezzerides
as Gatos
Tracey Roberts
as Peggy Santos
Vera Stokes
as Mother
Nestor Paiva
as Gabini, Newsdealer
Robert Leslie Bennett
as Sgt. Wendell
Jimmy Conlin
as Doc Hyman
Joan Taylor
as Hazel
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Critic Reviews for On Dangerous Ground

All Critics (18) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (17) | Rotten (1)

View All Critic Reviews (18)

Audience Reviews for On Dangerous Ground

  • Jun 30, 2019
    There are few wrong notes in this film noir (some awkward camera moves, Ida Lupino's interpretation of being sightless) that screech, but this movie is a must-see for genre lovers. Robert Ryan is the staccato cop who. unlike his peers, shows no compassion for criminals. His performance is among the best in his career. And, the music, by maestro Bernard Herrmann, is sensationaL.
    Aldo G Super Reviewer
  • Apr 01, 2016
    Now thats a GREAT movie!!!
    Brody M Super Reviewer
  • Apr 01, 2016
    A very unusual film noir with it's change halfway through, brief moments of hand-held camera and the lead female is actually a tool of salvation. Very convincing story and acting from both Ida Lupino and Robert Ryan. Lupino also took the directing reigns for a while when Nicholas Ray took ill.
    a z Super Reviewer
  • Apr 01, 2016
    Atmospheric noir mood piece with excellent work by greats Robert Ryan and Ida Lupino with an evocative score by Bernard Hermann, reportedly his favorite of all his work.
    jay n Super Reviewer
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