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Poster for Force of Evil

Force of Evil

Seen it?

1950 | 79 min | Crime, Drama

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (100% 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 Angels with Dirty Faces or Glengarry Glen Ross, 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 19 min.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1950: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Lawyer Joe Morse wants to consolidate all the small-time numbers racket operators into one big powerful operation. But his elder brother Leo is one of these small-time operators who wants to stay that way, preferring not to deal with the gangsters who dominate the big-time.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    100% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.6 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $1 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 33K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Abraham Polonsky

  • John GarfieldJoe Morse
  • Thomas GomezLeo Morse
  • Marie WindsorEdna Tucker
  • Howland ChamberlainFreddie Bauer
  • Roy RobertsBen Tucker
  • Paul FixBill Ficco
  • Stanley PragerWally
  • Barry KelleyDetective Egan
  • Paul McVeyHobe Wheelock
  • Beatrice PearsonDoris Lowry