The Wrong Man
Seen it?1956 | 105 min | Crime, Drama
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (93% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans. If you loved The Asphalt Jungle or The Night of the Hunter, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 45 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1956: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
In 1953, an innocent man named Christopher Emmanuel "Manny" Balestrero is arrested after being mistaken for an armed robber.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 83 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.1 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$2 million worldwide on a $1 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 87K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
The Asphalt Jungle
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed heist crime drama.
The Night of the Hunter Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed heist crime drama that fewer people know today.
Heist
Weeknight WatchAnother heist crime drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Catch Me If You Can Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed crime drama.
The Outsiders Weeknight WatchAnother crime drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
- Henry FondaManny Balestrero
- Vera MilesRose Balestrero
- Anthony QuayleFrank D. O'Connor
- Harold J. Stone. Bowers
- Charles CooperMatthews
- John HeldabrandTomasini
- Esther MinciottiMama Balestrero
- Doreen LangAnn James
- Laurinda BarrettConstance Willis
- Norma ConnollyBetty Todd