On a subsequent viewing its clear they don't get much better than this, Force of Evil comes complete with all the ingredients of a first-class noir thriller. Powerful dialogue, direction, performances, cinematography, music score and stylish lighting, combine to deliver a thought-provoking morality tale of corporate greed - bringing down those foolish enough to play for the big stakes, against better judgment.
This is a game you play at your own expense or in this case, the expense of those you love. Ira Wolfert adapts his own novel "Tucker's People" into a screenplay, along with director Abraham Polonsky. Together they come up with a bristling, soul-searching story of corruption and greed that will tear apart brother from brother and affect all who come in contact with the get-rich-quick scheme attracting undesirables from all walks of life.
Thomas Gomez excels as the self-sacrificing older brother and small-time numbers man, trying to give a little decent employment to some local misfits. Stage actress Beatrice Pearson, in her first of only two features (Lost Boundaries '49) turns in an impressive character performance as the innocent girl caught up between the conflicting ideals of both brothers. Garfield's Enterprise Company gave this film to MGM to distribute but it's somewhat doubtful MGM may have done the right thing - it's unclear who re-edited the film (or why) and unfortunately seems the edits were never archived. Even as is, it's not to be missed as a great example of dramatic, cinematic art - with an ending that leaves a strong impression. This little picture makes many bigger pictures look small.
Both performer and director would be hunted out of Hollywood by the HUAA just a few years later. Forget the Marxist rants some attribute to this picture; this is a multi-layered morality play of crime, greed and brother against brother. It's quite unforgettable of its time.
The Olive DVD release features very good image and a better quality sound track than the earlier Republic release, well worth buying.
This is a game you play at your own expense or in this case, the expense of those you love. Ira Wolfert adapts his own novel "Tucker's People" into a screenplay, along with director Abraham Polonsky. Together they come up with a bristling, soul-searching story of corruption and greed that will tear apart brother from brother and affect all who come in contact with the get-rich-quick scheme attracting undesirables from all walks of life.
Thomas Gomez excels as the self-sacrificing older brother and small-time numbers man, trying to give a little decent employment to some local misfits. Stage actress Beatrice Pearson, in her first of only two features (Lost Boundaries '49) turns in an impressive character performance as the innocent girl caught up between the conflicting ideals of both brothers. Garfield's Enterprise Company gave this film to MGM to distribute but it's somewhat doubtful MGM may have done the right thing - it's unclear who re-edited the film (or why) and unfortunately seems the edits were never archived. Even as is, it's not to be missed as a great example of dramatic, cinematic art - with an ending that leaves a strong impression. This little picture makes many bigger pictures look small.
Both performer and director would be hunted out of Hollywood by the HUAA just a few years later. Forget the Marxist rants some attribute to this picture; this is a multi-layered morality play of crime, greed and brother against brother. It's quite unforgettable of its time.
The Olive DVD release features very good image and a better quality sound track than the earlier Republic release, well worth buying.