On Dangerous Ground casts Robert Ryan as a cop going too far over the edge in dealing with the lowlifes of the world. After giving some criminals a severe beating in the line of work, even though he obtained the needed information, his captain Ed Begley has decided Ryan needs a change of scenery, something far removed from asphalt. If you remember the same plot premise was used in one Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry films, Sudden Impact, where the brass decides Eastwood needs some time away from San Francisco.
But in Sudden Impact, Eastwood at least settled in before getting involved in a case. As Ryan is driving up, he sees a posse being formed to catch a rapist and the father of the victim, Ward Bond, isn't patiently waiting for law enforcement to due its thing. Ryan arrives and gets in the car right with him.
The trail leads them to Ida Lupino's farm where she lives as self sufficiently as she can for a blind woman. Looking at Bond's rage, Ryan realizes just how far he's come to that in himself. The target they're seeking is Lupino's younger brother, Sumner Williams who is mentally disturbed and probably should have been committed a long time ago.
What happens to all the folks involved you'll have to watch On Dangerous Ground for. For me the film didn't quite jell, probably it needed more running time to develop any kind of romance between Lupino and Ryan. That to me is a glaring weakness.
Also Ryan did look a whole lot ludicrous tracking down young Williams with Ward Bond in his city clothes. How could Nicholas Ray and writer A.I. Bezzerides not at least giver Ryan a chance to change into something suitable for the snow? He looks even more ridiculous next to Ward Bond who is dressed for the weather.
Ryan, Bond, and Lupino are quite good, but acting honors in On Dangerous Ground go to Sumner Williams for a very touching portrayal of a young mentally man on the run. The cop with the reputation for brutality might be his salvation.
On Dangerous Ground is a good noir film, but not as good as some rate it here, it has too many glaring weaknesses for me.
But in Sudden Impact, Eastwood at least settled in before getting involved in a case. As Ryan is driving up, he sees a posse being formed to catch a rapist and the father of the victim, Ward Bond, isn't patiently waiting for law enforcement to due its thing. Ryan arrives and gets in the car right with him.
The trail leads them to Ida Lupino's farm where she lives as self sufficiently as she can for a blind woman. Looking at Bond's rage, Ryan realizes just how far he's come to that in himself. The target they're seeking is Lupino's younger brother, Sumner Williams who is mentally disturbed and probably should have been committed a long time ago.
What happens to all the folks involved you'll have to watch On Dangerous Ground for. For me the film didn't quite jell, probably it needed more running time to develop any kind of romance between Lupino and Ryan. That to me is a glaring weakness.
Also Ryan did look a whole lot ludicrous tracking down young Williams with Ward Bond in his city clothes. How could Nicholas Ray and writer A.I. Bezzerides not at least giver Ryan a chance to change into something suitable for the snow? He looks even more ridiculous next to Ward Bond who is dressed for the weather.
Ryan, Bond, and Lupino are quite good, but acting honors in On Dangerous Ground go to Sumner Williams for a very touching portrayal of a young mentally man on the run. The cop with the reputation for brutality might be his salvation.
On Dangerous Ground is a good noir film, but not as good as some rate it here, it has too many glaring weaknesses for me.