The Enforcer

Apparently the concept of contract killing was a newfangled thing at the time, because everyone seems shocked and bewildered at the very idea of killing someone for money. The films spends too much time harping on it, but otherwise it's a fun ride, if not particularly special

A not-very-original crime drama noir, with Bogie as a detective trying to bring down a ring of hit men. Besides the flashbacks-within-flashbacks, the most interesting thing about it that it was apparently made at a time before "contract" and "hit" became part of the common lexicon. Either that or the writer just underestimated his audience. They treat the very idea of a hit man as a shocking new concept. Overall, the film is entertaining with a few excellent shots, if not terribly fresh.

Based on the notorious Murder, Inc., 'The Enforcer' is one of Bogie's underrated classics, which surely hasn't gotten the attention it deserves. Great performances from everyone, especially Ted de Corsia.

Eventually the way Rico behaves in the first part is contradicted significantly by the character established in the rest of the film. This was a fairly straightforward police procedural, and the touches of melodrama feel a bit out of place but its generally quite good.

If you've seen a lot of other crime movies from the same era, you're likely to be unimpressed with this one.

Gets lost in the sea of other films of its kind, era and quality.

Pure Humphrey Bogart stuff. Started intense and thrilling, ended intense and thrilling. Wasn't as sharp during the middle portion, but there was a lot of cool snooping going on there too with a lot of dirty characters. While not a perfect crime fighter, there sure was a lot to love about The Enforcer (1951).

A few too many flash backs within flash backs, but gritty film with Bogart in good form.