I was surprised to see this movie rated so highly, but there ya go. A problem for me was that Robert Ryan was the only actor in the movie whose characterization I bought into. The other actors all seemed not only to be playing stock characters, but doing so in a style typical 1940's movie-acting. Even Audrey Totter, whom I like, seemed "actory." Ryan, however, was in a class by himself. He seemed to be playing without technique, as if all the events in the movie were all really happening to him.
AS to the fight sequence, while completely believable, it just went on too long for my taste. And it was not helped by reaction shots of various characters that were so numerous as to become repetitive.
I give a it a 7, but primarily for Robert Ryan.
AS to the fight sequence, while completely believable, it just went on too long for my taste. And it was not helped by reaction shots of various characters that were so numerous as to become repetitive.
I give a it a 7, but primarily for Robert Ryan.