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Boomerang!
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Boomerang!

1947
Drama
Crime
1h 28m
This dramatization of a factual incident opens in a quiet Connecticut town where a kindly priest is murdered while waiting at a street corner. The citizens are horrified and demand action from the police. All of the witnesses identify John Waldron, a nervous out-of-towner, as the killer. Although Waldron vehemently denies the crime, no one will believe him. District Attorney Henry Harvey is then put on the case and faces political opposition in his attempt to prove Waldron's innocence. (imdb)
Directed by:
Elia Kazan Elia Kazan
Written by:
Richard Murphy Fulton Oursler
+1 more
Starring:
Lee J. Cobb Lee J. Cobb Karl Malden Karl Malden Sam Levene Sam Levene Brian Keith Brian Keith Ed Begley Ed Begley Dana Andrews Dana Andrews Arthur Kennedy Arthur Kennedy Jane Wyatt Jane Wyatt Cara Williams
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Genres:
Drama, Crime
Country:
USA
Language:
English
imdb More information at IMDb
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Boomerang!

1947
Drama
Crime
1h 28m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 54.82% from 158 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

(158)
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davidkahaneDavidKahane
Rated 13 Aug 2009
70
48th
One of Kazan's earliest features as a film director is a staid courtroom drama. The film's points about the treatment of suspects--particularly regarding using sleeplessness and relentless questioning to produce a confession--echo enough in modern debates ensuring that the film doesn't seem dated. The film is finally more interesting than gripping. It's sturdy, measured approach to the serious material creating a finished product that surely admirable, but also a little dull.
Rated 13 Aug 2009
nobambanobamba
Rated 28 Nov 2021
60
62nd
Nice set up with the town and how ordinary mechanization can corrupt the justice system. The townspeople want an answer. The politicians want a victory (or to deny their opponents an advantage). The police want a suspect. The "based on a true story" is only shocking for the unconventional conclusion, but the facts of the case are not that uncommon. In any case, I wouldn't try the final stunt! Fav scene: the mob trying to get the suspect outside the courthouse but for the chief taking a stand.
Rated 28 Nov 2021
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 05 Jun 2008
88
90th
Although the narration and the real life aspect of the story feel overblown it's a very well made film about the conflicts between justice and politics. The performances are strong and the social commentary is quite good, though it holds a little back. The ending really pushes this up a notch as, despite the cheesy execution, it fits perfectly with the film's themes and doesn't go for the easy out.
Rated 05 Jun 2008
jeffvjeff_v
Rated 22 Feb 2010
72
74th
Solid courtroom drama benefits from location shooting and the generous attention paid to the community, sketching in several characters with enough detail to make them believable. As usual per a Kazan film, the acting is above average as well.
Rated 22 Feb 2010
lonewolf2003Lonewolf2003
Rated 03 Dec 2014
72
51st
Good movie, but it has some pacing issues. Spending way too much time on the built up and introduction and too little on the actual courtroom.
Rated 03 Dec 2014
wayofthegunwayofthegun
Rated 30 Mar 2012
75
54th
Boomerang! sort of feels like a more dramatic, classic Hollywood take on My Cousin Vinny (minus the comedy). Good performance from Dana Andrews.
Rated 30 Mar 2012
glm01glm01
Rated 22 Sep 2013
75
51st
74.500
Rated 22 Sep 2013
afx237viafx237vi
Rated 28 May 2011
55
43rd
Solid drama, supposedly based on a true story. Touches on a lot of big issues, like police brutality, political corruption and media irresponsibility - but I must admit this film didn't really draw me in as much as I expected it to. The pacing is fairly slow and the tone of the film is quite staid and unadventurous. It only really comes to life during two scenes: the interrogation of Waldron in the police cell, and the courtroom finalé.
Rated 28 May 2011
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 10 Jun 2010
73
45th
A pretty good docudrama from Kazan that covers a lot of territory. Police procedural, courtroom drama, political corruption, mob mentality, sensationalist journalism. It manages to juggle the personal stories (mostly revolving around Dana Andrews as a state attorney) and the big picture admirably, and the ensemble performances are all solid, including Lee J. Cobb, Arthur Kennedy, Sam Levene, Ed Begley and Karl Malden. The film doesn't have a whole lot of oomph to it, but it's very watchable.
Rated 10 Jun 2010
redfalconRed_Falcon_
Rated 14 Mar 2013
64
21st
A serviceable courtroom drama that if made today would probably be an episode of one of the Law and Order shows.
Rated 14 Mar 2013
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 17 Oct 2017
50
35th
Not bad.
Rated 17 Oct 2017
mandymandy
Rated 01 Nov 2014
6
44th
Interesting drama, which touches on some still relevant themes. A little staid but watchable enough.
Rated 01 Nov 2014
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 07 Jun 2007
50
38th
Perfectly watchable, I suppose this is a decent enough movie, although several things that happen in the courtroom are highly implausible. Supposedly this is based on a true story, but still, the film is rather naive in portraying so matter-of-factly occurances which in real life must have been much more complicated. E.G: I strongly doubt that pistols were carried around inside the courtroom by anyone other than guards.
Rated 07 Jun 2007
punqPUNQ
Rated 07 Apr 2021
70
96th
The pendulum of excitement doesn't shift back and forth like a usual court drama. Instead it focuses on a straight path and uses other elements to bring the tension. Actually, the way they did it also made me more focused on the story. I wouldn't have minded a little more suspense, but they made it a very authentic experience and that's the key quality about Boomerang! (1947).
Rated 07 Apr 2021
caffecaffe
Rated 03 Feb 2015
48
31st
Not at all without points of interest, but not essential. It moves along at a satisfying pace and the final half-hour makes some interesting points in an entertaining way. But Kazan would learn how to make his social and political points pack a more hard-hitting punch.
Rated 03 Feb 2015
nuotionuotio
Rated 07 May 2020
58
60th
More of a police procedural or a courtroom drama than a typical Film Noir; it documents the investigation and trial of a murder case which is not as straight-forward as it first seems. It's based on a true story and that probably has some weight on the film and portrayal of the characters. What makes the film a proper Film Noir for me is the way it portrays the political system and media that is more interested in getting the case closed instead of finding the right killer.
Rated 07 May 2020

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