The Undercover Man

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The Undercover Man

1949

1h 25m

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

60%

Tomatometer

5 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Determined Treasury Department investigator Frank Warren (Glenn Ford) goes after a ruthless mobster known as The Big Fellow. When a key informant is murdered, Warren pursues the gangster on charges of tax evasion. But, with a slick mob lawyer hampering him at every turn, and threats being lobbed toward Warren's wife (Nina Foch), the lawman's chances of achieving a conviction are slim to none. His only hope is that one syndicate bookkeeper will have the courage to turn state's evidence.

Virginia Graham

London Evening Standard

A sensible, short, moderately exciting and well constructed thriller.

May 26, 2021

Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

Lewis offers, I think, slight moments of B-movie intrigue with Glenn Ford, but his moralizing line about the ethics of duty traces a predictable trajectory that softens the plot until it becomes dull. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 6/10

Oct 10, 2022

Full Review

Moira Walsh

America Magazine

It serves only to affirm a truism already known to every tax-paying adult: no matter how it is served up, the income tax is a dull and painful subject.

Jul 15, 2021

Full Review

Michael E. Grost

Classic Film and Television

Highly creative crime film, with visually inventive direction.

Aug 8, 2008

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

A very solid crime thriller shot in semi-documentary style.

Rated: B

Apr 28, 2003

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deke p

1949! B&W Noir. GLENN FORD great, as usual. T-man vs Gangsters in big city. Never heard of until saw on The MOVIE Channel 1.20.2022

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

GlennFord didn't make any bad movies.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

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Audience Member

Solid B with terrific cast.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Audience Member

Joseph H. Lewis directed this gritty little crime story that seems loosely based on Al Capone being taken down by Elliott Ness, with Glenn Ford in as the Ness figure. It's not so much film noir as it's a down-and-dirty crime film.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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Audience Member

Highly creative crime film, with visually inventive direction.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

Not the greatest Lewis but the visuals are always compelling.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

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Joseph H. Lewis

Director

Glenn Ford

Frank Warren

Nina Foch

Judith Warren

James Whitmore

George Pappas

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Synopsis

Determined Treasury Department investigator Frank Warren (Glenn Ford) goes after a ruthless mobster known as The Big Fellow. When a key informant is murdered, Warren pursues the gangster on charges of tax evasion. But, with a slick mob lawyer hampering him at every turn, and threats being lobbed toward Warren's wife (Nina Foch), the lawman's chances of achieving a conviction are slim to none. His only hope is that one syndicate bookkeeper will have the courage to turn state's evidence.

Director: Joseph H. Lewis
Production Co: Columbia Pictures
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 6, 2016
Runtime: 1h 25m