at first look bogey seems pretty out of place here, but over the course of the movie he pulls it off quite well. the writing on the other hand, leaves much to be desired.

Even as a bleeding heart liberal, I found the moralizing a bit much, especially in Bogart's pleas to the jury. However, the performances are excellent and the film has a sensitive, poetic rhythm to it. The stylish camerawork by Burnett Guffey (one of the greats) maintains the noir vibe, with some gorgeous sequences. Also, the third act is a courtroom drama that manages to avoid a lot of the predictable tropes. Perhaps too earnest and a tad too slow, but a sorrowful and often beautiful movie.

Earnest, liberal film about youth violence and slums. Surprising misfire from Nicholas Ray and Bogart.

The story is very cheesy and the message is superficial.