A chilling
film noir about the murder of a priest, the subsequent arrest and trial of a jobless drifter, and the efforts of a young state's attorney to uncover the truth. Closely based on the actual 1924 murder (still unsolved) of Fr. Hubert Dahme in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the film was
directed by the young Elia Kazan in a highly effective, semi-documentary style. Kazan shot most of the film on location, using high-contrast cinematography and an extremely mobile camera to create a palpable sense of urgency. Producer Louis de Rochemont had earlier been responsible for the "March
of Time" newsreel series, as well as the naturalistic features THE HOUSE ON 92N...
Released:
1947
Rated:
NR
Length:
88 mins