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The Turning Point

Play trailer Poster for The Turning Point Released Nov 14, 1952 1h 25m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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80% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 42% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
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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The Turning Point

Critics Reviews

View All (5) Critics Reviews
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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (11) audience reviews
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 Read all reviews
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The Turning Point

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Movie Info

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
Producer
Irving Asher
Production Co
Paramount Pictures
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 14, 1952, Limited
Runtime
1h 25m
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