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Out of the Past
1947
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
1h 37m
Jeff Bailey, small-town gas pumper, has his mysterious past catch up with him one day when he's ordered to meet with gambler Whit Sterling... (imdb)
Directed by:
Jacques TourneurScreenwriter:
Daniel MainwaringAKA:
Build My Gallows HighCountry:
USAOut of the Past
1947
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
1h 37m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 74.21% from 1393 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews
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Rated 31 Dec 2006
6
99th
Quintessential. A film so integral to the noir canon that it's difficult to speak of in terms that aren't cliche. The script is quick-witted, shot in razor-sharp contrast, with Mitchum at the top of his game. More personally, it was an essential building block of my own cinephilia. It's a shrewd and twisty picture about skeletons that come bursting out of the closet, and the convoluted but ultimately futile attempts to push them back in. Dishonest reconciliation leads to doom.
Rated 31 Dec 2006
Rated 02 Mar 2007
5
91st
If you were to take all of the defining characteristics of film noir in high quality and throw them into a blender, you'd end up with this. The amazingly stark chiaroscuro, voice-over narration, private eyes, a sultry femme fatale, disjointed plot, a mysterious past - it's all here. And it's all done to perfection.
Rated 02 Mar 2007
Rated 24 Nov 2015
91
91st
When Kirk Douglas (in a really laid back performance) offers Robert Mitchum a cigarette as he enters, Mitchum says, "Smoking," and raises his hand to reveal an already lit cig. I don't even smoke and I think that's badass.
Rated 24 Nov 2015
Rated 03 Feb 2008
87
78th
Sweet movie. Great plot and superb direction make Out of the Past one of the most competent film noir movies I have seen. The main characters are all derivative, but I think that's also what makes them so impressive. It's like all of the best aspects of the legendary genre brought together at their superior form. The visuals in particular are worth noting being nothing short of breathtaking. Fantastic movie, it's highly recommendable to anyone into noir or looking for a good place to start.
Rated 03 Feb 2008
Rated 17 Jan 2007
86
87th
Detectives, underworld figures, femmes fatale, double-crosses and heaps of murder... pretty standard noir, but a fine example of the genre. Robert Mitchum is superb in the lead.
Rated 17 Jan 2007
Rated 11 Feb 2010
75
67th
Douglas' performance is awesome, as he imbues a sincere complexity into what could have just been a totally stock character. I hate to punish this for sticking too close to the playbook since it probably more or less wrote the playbook, but I felt completely detached, like I was reading a critical essay on noir tropes rather than watching a film. Also, I'm not buying Jane Greer as some embodiment of pure feminine evil; she's passable in her role but never truly owns it.
Rated 11 Feb 2010
Rated 01 Nov 2009
100
99th
One of the definitive noir films. Nevermind the convoluted plot --almost a given in film noir-- Out of the Past drips with style, and everyone involved gives killer performances. Jane Greer's turn as Kathie Moffet gives us arguably the greatest femme fatale in the history of film noir.
Rated 01 Nov 2009
Rated 09 May 2008
92
93rd
This is my first answer when someone asks me about film noir. The dialogue, the characters, the visuals, they're so perfectly noir it hurts.
Rated 09 May 2008
Rated 22 Aug 2016
84
80th
At 97 minutes, this is not simply a brisk picture - the plot mechanisms reminded me of that Daffy Duck cartoon where he keeps one-upping the studio exec with, "And then there was a food shortage! The dam broke!! The volcano erupted!!!" before shooting himself. Don't get me wrong - this is class, through and through - taut and windy and morally mischievous. But like the exec, I finally asked myself, "Is that all?"
Rated 22 Aug 2016
Rated 23 May 2009
80
86th
Great in every regard but the film failed to overwhelm me at any point. Definitely among the best in it's genre, Out of the Past features great acting, great photography and great twists and turns. See it, just don't expect a revelation.
Rated 23 May 2009
Rated 16 Nov 2008
98
98th
A fantastic film. Tourneur uses the space in the frame to continually create tension--two people talk in a cafe while a mysterious third listens in the background; two lovers meet on a beach near fishing boats and nets, hoping not to get caught; and so on. The film brims over with back-stabbings and left turns in the plot, but because Tourneur is also patient with his camera and the pacing of his editing, it never feels like too much. This is easily one of the best films I've seen this year.
Rated 16 Nov 2008
Rated 19 Dec 2023
70
54th
Jeff: "You can never help anything, can you? You're like a leaf that the wind blows from one gutter to another."
Rated 19 Dec 2023
Rated 10 Jan 2021
95
98th
If I had to pick a consummate noir at this point, this would be it. Not only is it well-done, stylish and twisty, but downright enjoyable too. For me, what then brings it over the top is Mitchum's cool and placid protagonist is sympathetic, someone you can get behind.
Rated 10 Jan 2021
Rated 14 Aug 2012
84
88th
"Oh, Jeff, I don't want to die!" "Neither do I, baby, but if I have to I'm gonna die last". Robert Mitchum plays one of the most likeable unlikeable guys I've seen in film noir. And Greer is good as the femme fatale while Douglas adds to it. The plot is as twisted as the way the leads play their hands. Not my favorite noir, but it is really good.
Rated 14 Aug 2012
Rated 08 Sep 2011
93
99th
The protagonist is a slick talking, clever acting sort of anti-hero whose intentions seem a little misguided yet in the end prove to be of the utmost noble. Jeff Bailey pretty much is the epitome of cool. He always seems to be in control. He pauses to smoke a cigarette at the most inopportune times. He has a romantic disposition, but he never loses sight of the difference between reality and artifice. This is noir at its finest, a romantic, titillating, piece of blissful gloom.
Rated 08 Sep 2011
Rated 05 Sep 2011
75
77th
Good, but not quite the masterpiece I was expecting. It has all the ingredients you want from a film noir, but the pacing is leaden at times and the whole thing feels a little flat compared to some of the other great noirs I've seen. That said, I still enjoyed it. Jane Greer is the highlight - a true femme fatale, she had me squirming in my seat each time she sunk her claws into poor old Mitch. Loved the whole fatalistic weariness of the ending, too... pure noir.
Rated 05 Sep 2011
Rated 27 Nov 2010
95
94th
Out of the Past is a quintessential noir. It has countless noir characteristics, such as a morally ambiguous protagonist, a plot involving a web of lies, deceit and murder, a classic femme fatale, and as the title suggests, a main character whose past comes back to haunt him. The film is a near-masterpiece in spite of not setting itself notably apart from other films of its time. It's a must for noir fans, and would serve as a great introduction to the genre.
Rated 27 Nov 2010
Rated 13 Jul 2009
99
96th
Made with complete, cool assurance and littered with excellent performances, this is perhaps the purest noir ever and only marginally less brilliant than my favourite of the genre (Double Indemnity). This is what it's all about.
Rated 13 Jul 2009
Rated 23 Mar 2009
97
98th
Great movie. Some of the best dialogue I can remember in any film. Highly recommended.
Rated 23 Mar 2009
Rated 27 Jan 2009
4
83rd
Noir takes a vacation to the countryside. Solidly entertaining. It was fun to watch Mitchum outsmart and outmaneuver every bum who tried to fuck him over. I definitely preferred the first half of the film (told through flashback) to the second. A noir entirely set in rural America would have been a pleasant departure from the usual formula. It could have tinkered with expectations in a way this doesn't, which is more of a personal preference than an objective critique. Still, very enjoyable.
Rated 27 Jan 2009
Rated 11 Dec 2008
77
62nd
at it's worst, dull and boring, at it's best a good example of noir at it's height. not spectacular, but certainly not terrible. the first half of this movie is much more interesting than the last half.
Rated 11 Dec 2008
Rated 12 Sep 2008
78
88th
Classic hard-boiled noir with a superior script and a superb cast in Robert Mitchum, Kirk Douglas and Jane Greer. The three of them are spellbinding - you cannot keep your eyes off them.
Rated 12 Sep 2008
Rated 29 Mar 2007
80
68th
Good film noir. Robert Mitchum is his usual baaaaaaaaaad self
Rated 29 Mar 2007
Rated 03 Apr 2024
40
38th
The plot went by so speedily, that half way through I was lost. Despite the endless succession of hot dames and certain death around every corner, Mitchum's character seemed completely bored.
Rated 03 Apr 2024
Rated 19 Feb 2024
75
76th
Almost wonder if I've seen this before, or just another classic they ruin for you in film class these days in showing you several scenes and explaining the plot. Based on a presumption that no one really watches these things anymore? Ditto a number of classic Tourneur films.
Rated 19 Feb 2024
Rated 21 Jul 2023
70
53rd
Mitchum’s character is cool and all, yes, but that’s the very thing that prevents Out of the Past from being great. Why? Because in the end, I don’t care about his demise. Too cool probably.
Rated 21 Jul 2023
Rated 08 Apr 2023
80
53rd
Very much the quintessential noir, with cigarette smoke, chiaroscuro, and femme fatales up the wazoo. The plot can get a little too labyrinthine at times, but the dialogue is killer - so many great one-liners! - and Mitchum is one of the best noir protagonists I’ve ever seen, with Douglas and Greer also fantastic in their roles.
Rated 08 Apr 2023
Rated 27 Mar 2023
50
29th
Robert Mitchum going head-to-head with Kirk Douglas while Jane Greer stabs everyone in the back, what's not to like? Well, the rest of the film is only so-so. It seems I am hard to please in the case of classic noir films, for example I think 'Double Indemnity is overrated as is 'The Maltese Falcon'. I prefer 'The Big Sleep' style of noir film, which this is not.
Rated 27 Mar 2023
Rated 19 Jun 2022
80
92nd
Sudden urge to smoke a carton of cigarettes and call women dames.
Rated 19 Jun 2022
Rated 19 Jul 2021
90
95th
It's amazing how grim, elegant, tense it is on a shot-to-shot basis and Bailey/Markham doesn't even kill anyone, although seeing people getting murdered all the time. You don't fall for a gangster's deadly charming girlfriend and escapes with her one piece. Past will follow you through lies, unpaid debts, shady taxes, constant double-crossing, kissing and nervous smoking and impossible dreams of a future with a small-town treasure of a woman who can't grasp what's going on -- neither does he.
Rated 19 Jul 2021
Rated 19 Mar 2021
80
99th
Super slick noir. Calm and cool Robert Mitchum, overly cocky Kirk Douglas and dangerous dames! VERY dangerous! Jane Greer was one hell of a femme fatal! It's not the most visual of noirs, but the plot packs a lot. Sure had me captivated!
Rated 19 Mar 2021
Rated 02 May 2020
64
60th
Mitchum's effortless charisma makes people think this movie is better than it is; they forget how it drags in places and how convoluted it gets towards the end. Despite its reputation it's not in the same league as Double Indemnity or Scarlet Street, or even DOA.
Rated 02 May 2020
Rated 30 Mar 2020
92
95th
This movie HITS. It's noir cranked to 11 on every front, an extra venomous femme fatale, a twisty plot from which there seems no escape as tension mounts, poetic voice-over narration, and hyper-stylized dialogue -- and instead of being cliche or too much, Out of the Past is just right. An electrifying watch as Mitchum mutters classic lines as a bored of life, trapped by the image of love man who's too cool for the room.
Rated 30 Mar 2020
Rated 19 Jan 2020
75
85th
Great noir and probably Tournier's most polished work. The plot is knotty, but it isn't borderline incomprehensible like The Big Sleep largely due to a superior sense of pacing and Tournier's economical direction that results in a tightly constructed narrative. The dialogue is very good and Mitchum is excellent as a man who cannot escape the shadows of his dark past. Tournier's use of lighting and space to create a tense mood of grim fatalism is first rate.
Rated 19 Jan 2020
Rated 16 Jan 2020
80
67th
Like the best film noir the dialogue is snappy and clever. Plenty of little twists, always interesting with good to great performances. I have no serious issues with it except for that part at the end with the fishing rod, but at the same time I didn't love this as much as some other films in the genre. I acknowledge that it deserves the respect it gets, and admittedly I was tired while watching this.
Rated 16 Jan 2020
Rated 23 Nov 2019
80
78th
Beautiful noir, with a quipping gumshoe, a femme fatale who keeps popping up like a bad penny, a death leading to few twists of the plot, and the usual despair that there's just no way out of this one.
Rated 23 Nov 2019
Rated 04 May 2019
70
73rd
Interesting, quick-handed drama. Robert Mitchum is great as the smart, but unlucky protagonist.
Rated 04 May 2019
Rated 11 Mar 2019
87
49th
87.00
Rated 11 Mar 2019
Rated 19 Dec 2018
90
87th
Mitchum's lazily cool indifference lets you know that he's completely aware that he's walking into a trap, but he's going to go in head first and see if he can get out the other side anyway. Kirk Douglas is all cocky, self-assurance, and the scene where he drops the hammer of Jane Greer is absolutely chilling ... and it ends up meaning nothing. Greer is the real star. The ultimate femme fatale of this era.
Rated 19 Dec 2018
Rated 20 Nov 2018
75
49th
Such a prototypically good example of a film noir, that it becomes almost unrecognizably generic. The more hardboiled detective noir films I watch, the more they blend together, each borrowing the same tropes, charatcers and conventons from each other within labyrinthine difficult-to-follow plots, and Out of the Past does nothing to set itself apart. Sure, Tourneur has a great visual eye, but even then, there are many films that can do chiaroscuro much more beautifully than this.
Rated 20 Nov 2018
Rated 09 Nov 2018
72
81st
A solid smartly acted noir thriller with a downbeat if abrupt ending. None of the characters are really likeable which is what keeps this from being one of the greats.
Rated 09 Nov 2018
Rated 30 Oct 2017
80
87th
This is pure noir, the characters are incredible and the twisted plot really keeps you engaded. That femme fatale was really scary; they don't do it like her anymore, I need to look for another Jane Greer films. What else? Great acting with two titans as Mitchum and Douglas and fantastic cinematography, if you like noir you must see it.
Rated 30 Oct 2017
Rated 18 Jun 2016
75
80th
do you want a classic noir with great dialog, actors, plot? pick this one.
Rated 18 Jun 2016
Rated 25 Feb 2016
75
89th
Very good.
Rated 25 Feb 2016
Rated 10 Dec 2014
91
89th
Sério que Against all Odds é remake desse filme? HAHAHAHA
Rated 10 Dec 2014
Rated 11 Feb 2014
5
70th
another classic film noir. i always like them but never love them. this one's closer to the love line though. with these genre films, there should at least be some effort made to stand out from the glut of mass production. this one toes the line a fair amount with its snappy dialogue and convoluted plotting, but perhaps slightly more unusual was that it didn't attempt to have a strong conclusion; rather, the plot frayed then dissolved as the plans of every character sort of fizzled out.
Rated 11 Feb 2014
Rated 16 Nov 2013
79
96th
The first half of the movie shows us the past, that the hero (Robert Mitchum) is running from. Those past ghosts are the fem-fatal (Jane Greer) and gambler (Kirk Douglas). The second half is the three of them dancing with plots and counter plots, rushing to a final conclusion. It's works and well worth watching.
Rated 16 Nov 2013
Rated 12 Oct 2013
99
99th
This movie introduced me to film noir and caused me to fall in love with the genre. I've watched countless noirs since, and this remains my favorite. What makes it even better than The Big Sleep? For starters, the dialogue is second-to-none, and Jane Greer is absolutely mesmerizing. "When you see her, you'll understand better."
Rated 12 Oct 2013
Rated 20 Jul 2013
81
86th
Gets tangled up in its own plot and style, but you have to love the way it features the typical noir anti-hero (Mitchum, excellent) and yet often has him one step behind the femme fatale trying to take control of her own situation by methodically killing her way through the cast. "I never told you I was anything but what I am," says the woman in the nun-esque hat.
Rated 20 Jul 2013
Rated 07 Apr 2013
75
81st
This is a pretty great film-noir. It's probably one of the films that best represents that genre, actually. The dialogue is brilliant, both quick and witty. The narration from the protagonist is also top-notch. Robert Mitchum is really good, if not quite perfect. He's backed up by a great supporting cast too. I thought the quality slipped a little in the 3rd act, but the ending was awesome. A must-see for any film-noir fan.
Rated 07 Apr 2013
Rated 01 Nov 2012
5
98th
Cool twisty-turny plot with (almost too) noir dialogue and visuals.
Rated 01 Nov 2012
Rated 11 Oct 2012
55
56th
Might be the perfect noir, in fact maybe a bit too archetypical. No real flaws I can point to (the plot is perhaps a touch too twisty) but by the same token it doesn't quite have the personality of some other less tightly-crafted noirs.
Rated 11 Oct 2012
Rated 01 Jul 2012
86
88th
Fun, witty noir featuring three excellent performances at the center of it all. The black and white cinematography is excellent and keeps your eyes on the screen.
Rated 01 Jul 2012
Rated 18 Jun 2012
90
85th
Probably the most stylish, atmospheric and dramatic noir I have seen so far. Absolutely deserved its right to be a classic.
Rated 18 Jun 2012
Rated 21 May 2012
70
43rd
dedektif, meksika, femme fatal, benzin istasyonu, cinayet, tuzak, kumpasa düsürmek, muhasebeci
Rated 21 May 2012
Rated 13 Dec 2011
86
91st
This is an outstanding Film Noir. The screenplay is excellent and the plot is interesting the whole length of the movie. Robert Mitchum gives a great performance and the rest of the cast are great. Definitely check out this Film Noir classic.
Rated 13 Dec 2011
Rated 04 Dec 2011
95
93rd
It's rare to find a noir where everything is done well. Even the smallest performances feel so natural and fit into this world. Robert Mitchum is so cool and Kirk Douglas is fun to watch in one of his first roles. I could see it becoming a favorite in the future.
Rated 04 Dec 2011
Rated 30 Nov 2011
94
88th
#119
Rated 30 Nov 2011
Rated 18 Aug 2011
80
91st
The script just about tops great performances by Greer, Douglas and Mitchum.
Rated 18 Aug 2011
Rated 16 Jul 2011
90
88th
The henchman can make or break a noir, so I like to give special attention when they stand out. Mitchum and Douglas are outstanding, of course, but Valentine carves out just as memorable a performance. A grade stuff.
Rated 16 Jul 2011
Rated 16 Jul 2011
75
84th
Kind of a hallmark of the genre -- every marker of film noir is effectively and obviously present. Mitchum and Douglas are perfect.
Rated 16 Jul 2011
Rated 18 Jun 2011
85
84th
Perfectly executed noir with some excellent performances. Watching Mitchum, Douglas and Greer toss snappy one-liners at each other is so fun.
Rated 18 Jun 2011
Rated 20 May 2011
90
95th
Excellent. Superbly shot, and Mitchum and Douglas being bawsses. The whole cast is great. The dialogue would be perhaps too much if it wasn't delivered by such incredibly cool cats and dames. Very enjoyable.
Rated 20 May 2011
Rated 26 Apr 2011
90
97th
Pure class in every way. The cast is amazing, the screenplay is sharp and snappy, and the direction is brilliant. Where "Out of the Past" really triumphs however is with its immersive and twisty plot. Highly recommeded noir masterpiece.
Rated 26 Apr 2011
Rated 15 Dec 2010
100
93rd
One of the masterpieces of film noir that every fan needs to see.
Rated 15 Dec 2010
Rated 10 Jun 2010
74
85th
Very good film noir that perhaps slightly loses its footing in the last half hour.
Rated 10 Jun 2010
Rated 13 Jan 2010
94
88th
121
Rated 13 Jan 2010
Rated 27 Dec 2009
9
90th
Amazing noir, not without its share of twist and turns, shady characters and stylish production values. Tourneur knows how to build and visually frame a scene and Mitchum makes up for a great lead. Some criticize the convoluted plot but I was completely immersed by it. Highly recommended!
Rated 27 Dec 2009
Rated 22 Nov 2009
84
65th
One of the better film noirs out there. Robert Mitchum was so good in this and so was Kirk Douglas but it's plot that's worth watching.
Rated 22 Nov 2009
Rated 05 Nov 2009
83
25th
Can Hollywood really make a pure film noir? If so, this is one of them. Robert Mitchum shines as the man as composed as he is doomed. Jane Greer is darkly feminine as the girl who never lets you get close enough to hurt her. Kirk Douglas is creepy and cool as the man too rich to play by anyone's rules but his own.
Rated 05 Nov 2009
Rated 11 Oct 2009
4
78th
Wild ride with the hard-boiled detective in the driver seat, the femme fatale riding shotgun, the gangster giving chase, and the cops lost in the dust.
Rated 11 Oct 2009
Rated 05 May 2009
63
34th
Too much smart-ass dialog to bear for me...
Rated 05 May 2009
Rated 29 Dec 2008
68
51st
M: 70/100 S 65/100
Mike: Noir movie with a fairly unnecessarily convoluted plot, but fun and dark in the right places.
Sophia: A bit tedious at times, it's always interesting to see women portrayed as utterly untrustworthy.
Rated 29 Dec 2008
Rated 19 Dec 2008
94
88th
117
Rated 19 Dec 2008
Rated 10 Nov 2008
100
96th
So awesome.
Rated 10 Nov 2008
Rated 27 Aug 2008
75
67th
Gruff stuff. Mitchum is excellent as the tough Jeff Bailey, trying to keep his cool in a scabby world. The transparent (and masterly) use of shadows gives rise to a "noir-mood" of sulky sadness and quiet desperation... The hard-core dialogue doesn't insult the visuals either.
Rated 27 Aug 2008
Rated 01 Mar 2008
94
90th
# 125
Rated 01 Mar 2008
Rated 10 Feb 2008
91
96th
This film is right up there with "Double Indemnity" and "The Third Man" as the pillars of film noir. It's like a checklist of the classic noir tropes and themes being filled out in front of our eyes, and each of them to perfection. Mitchum, Greer and Douglas are all superb.
Rated 10 Feb 2008
Rated 17 Jan 2008
75
77th
Mitchum just doesn't care. And why should he? Then again, why should we? The - admittedly very cool - wisecracks distanced me too much. While appreciating that they went all out with the noir attitude, it also kind of spoiled the film for me. Good, but not great.
Rated 17 Jan 2008
Rated 29 Sep 2007
90
95th
In which we meet the fatale-est femme of them all..."Cheer up Kathy, you'll get out of it alright. You always have." lol
Rated 29 Sep 2007
Rated 16 Sep 2007
75
79th
Styllish, well acted noir loses some steam towards the end.
Rated 16 Sep 2007
Rated 31 Aug 2007
80
49th
Film Noir! Yay! This is actually really good.
Rated 31 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
91st
Awesome noir, it's great to see Mitchum and Douglas looking so young and tough. What a web of deceit!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 06 Jun 2007
95
86th
Excellent film noir that is one of the best ever made. Robert Mitchum does some of his best work here: "Build my gallows high, baby. Build 'em high." Its remarkable how sharp this film is, and actually Against All Odds was an update of Out of the Past, made in the 1980s-I'll have to check that one out. See Out of the Past first, though. Especially to watch both Mitchum and Kirk Douglas together onscreen.
Rated 06 Jun 2007
Cast & Info
Directed by:
Jacques TourneurScreenwriter:
Daniel MainwaringAKA:
Build My Gallows HighCountry:
USACollections
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