The Turning Point

Released Nov 14, 1952

1h 25m

Crime

Drama

List

80%

5 Reviews

Tomatometer

42%

50+ Ratings

Audience Score

Prosecutor John Conroy (Edmond O'Brien) is determined to bring down organized crime in his Midwestern town. He looks to his father, Matt (Tom Tully), a police officer, for help, but Matt refuses. John's childhood friend Jerry McKibbon (William Holden), an investigative reporter, senses something fishy and spies on Matt. Jerry learns that Matt is communicating with a gangster (Ed Begley), but hides his discovery from John. Instead, Jerry confides in John's girlfriend, Mandy (Alexis Smith).

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Red T

It's not bad. Pretty much everything except the music is is decently made. The weakest point is this is very dry to watch and has almost no music to speak of at all. There is maybe music used twice in this for a few seconds and it feels so weird. Second, Holden is the best thing in this but only the main focus in say half the film. The other actors don't have the same charisma and the lines are sharp but a bit too sharp. It feels over the top at points. The camerawork is solid but this never really uses much atmosphere with the black and white. The ending isn't bad either and is probably the most memorable part. This feels like 2 seperate stories at times. Holden's personal stakes with O'Brien and than the main investigation. Whenever the camera isn't on Holden this ges very dry and boring at certain points especially during the congresional testamony. It can be hard to follow sometimes as well because the investigaion bounces around between different characters but it works half decently enough and its not long either. This needed better music, better atmosphere, and perhaps more focus on O'Brien in the investigative parts. If your a fan of any actors in this or a die hard Noir fan give this a try.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/21/23

Full Review

j F

It was often exciting and dynamic, but followed a cliched format. It did show the old Los Angeles in a gritty manner

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/14/23

Full Review

Steve D

Better on paper than in practice.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/20/23

Full Review

Leaburn O

Slightly corny crime noir detective story with a very basic premise. Pretty plain stuff that somehow won a Palme d'or

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/23/23

Full Review

Bill B

Interesting film with an unconventional ending. The main draw is the strong casting, with Holden, O'Brien and Begley squaring off. Some tense moments.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Overall, while the film takes a little while to get underway and carries a sluggish third act, I enjoyed this classic film. Considering there's a small cast here, I loved seeing the multiple layers and tough challenges leading characters must face throughout. With snappy dialogue and solid performances, The Turning Point is a good crime drama with outcomes that I can't say I saw coming.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/11/23

Full Review

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William Dieterle

Director

William Holden

Jerry McKibbon

Edmond O'Brien

John Conroy

Alexis Smith

Amanda Waycross

Tom Tully

Matt Conroy

Ed Begley

Neil Eichelberger

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Howard Thompson

New York Times

A sober but uninspired drama of anti-crime crusading in a midwestern city.

Apr 4, 2022

Full Review

Francois Truffaut

Cahiers du Cinéma

Holden, discovered in Stalag 17, is confirmed here as one of the three great American actors of tomorrow.

May 6, 2022

Full Review

Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

...a somewhat conventional but interesting crime drama. An exciting chase sequence and an unexpected ending are assets here.

Oct 7, 2019

Full Review

TV Guide Staff

TV Guide

This interesting film noir has good performances by the leads and a terrific villain in Begley.

Oct 21, 2006

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

A hard-boiled entertaining crime story that is skeptical if idealistic politicians alone can clean up the dirt in a big city.

Rated: B

Aug 28, 2003

Full Review

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Synopsis

Prosecutor John Conroy (Edmond O'Brien) is determined to bring down organized crime in his Midwestern town. He looks to his father, Matt (Tom Tully), a police officer, for help, but Matt refuses. John's childhood friend Jerry McKibbon (William Holden), an investigative reporter, senses something fishy and spies on Matt. Jerry learns that Matt is communicating with a gangster (Ed Begley), but hides his discovery from John. Instead, Jerry confides in John's girlfriend, Mandy (Alexis Smith).

Director: William Dieterle
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 14, 1952, Limited
Runtime: 1h 25m

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