Force of Evil

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Force of Evil

Released Dec 25, 1948

1h 18m

Crime

Drama

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100%

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18 Reviews

75%

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1,000+ Ratings

In New York City, unscrupulous lawyer Joe Morse (John Garfield), has the opportunity to make it big by teaming up with cutthroat gangster Ben Tucker (Roy Roberts) to consolidate the numbers racket. The only hitch in the plan is Morse's brother, Leo (Thomas Gomez), who refuses to involve his bank in the plan. As a result, Leo's bank would go from being saved to being another casualty in Morse and Tucker's thirst for power. Now, Morse must choose between money and family.

Bosley Crowther

New York Times

For all its unpleasant nature, it must be said that this film is a dynamic crime-and-punishment drama, brilliantly and broadly realized.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 8, 2006

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Don Druker

Chicago Reader

A poetic, terse, beautifully exact, and highly personal re-creation of the American underworld, with an unpunctuated Joycean screenplay by Polonsky that is perhaps unique in the American cinema.

Jan 1, 2000

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Bitter vision of postwar urban inhumanity.

Rated: A

Nov 23, 2022

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Abraham Polonsky takes an unflinching jab at America’s all-consuming capitalism, powerfully links the film’s themes with its noirish visual treatment and cutting, and uses poetic dialogue that has the gravitas of a Greek tragedy.

Rated: 4/4

Sep 15, 2022

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

A peak John Garfield vehicle.

Mar 28, 2022

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Elsa Branden

Photoplay

An exciting, fast-moving picture which reveals crime in a glaringly vicious light.

Rated: 2/3

Aug 20, 2021

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Audience Member

A decent film noir that highlights John Garfield's command of the craft. Builds slowly and doesn't hook you in like other classic film noirs, but eventually picks up in the last third that makes it worth a view.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/05/24

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Peter G

Virtually ignored at the time of its release this remains one of the most quietly powerful & significant films of is decade. An unusual product for an MGM release, certainly then. I view it as one of Hollywood‘s greatest achievements as well & Garfield‘s most complex characterization. It’s a well thought out study of the corruption in the numbers rackets at the time & is notably vivid for all 75 or so minutes of its length. Others in the cast do notable work as well especially an actress named Beatrice Pearson who only appeared in one other film, as far as I know. Her sympathetic character‘s interaction Garfield‘s character is suitably complex & I would have sought out her other film portrayals if any were available. I believe she gravitated more to the theater. This superb film was Abraham Polansky‘s last film, I think, before he was blacklisted & was not able to work again as a director until some 20 years later. Reviewed by Peter Graham

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/28/24

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nick s

Quality production. Original story idea.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/08/24

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Aideen L

Lyrical dialogue combined with epic cityscapes and intimate close up shots as well as a perfectly nuanced performance by the always riveting John Garfield makes this drama about the corrupting force of capitalist greed a master class in great script writing, casting and technical prowess . The taxi scene dialogue and is pure gold.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/03/24

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Leaburn O

Pretty bang average light gangster film from back in the day. Hard to find anything remarkable about it and imagine I'll have entirely forgotten it by next week. Found it to watch on YouTube.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/24

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william d

John Garfield is excellent as a sleazy lawyer, but the story is just too weak to recommend a viewing.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Abraham Polonsky

Director

John Garfield

Joe Morse

Beatrice Pearson

Doris Lowry

Thomas Gomez

Leo Morse

Howland Chamberlain

Freddie Bauer

Roy Roberts

Ben Tucker

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Synopsis

In New York City, unscrupulous lawyer Joe Morse (John Garfield), has the opportunity to make it big by teaming up with cutthroat gangster Ben Tucker (Roy Roberts) to consolidate the numbers racket. The only hitch in the plan is Morse's brother, Leo (Thomas Gomez), who refuses to involve his bank in the plan. As a result, Leo's bank would go from being saved to being another casualty in Morse and Tucker's thirst for power. Now, Morse must choose between money and family.

Director: Abraham Polonsky
Producer: Bob Roberts
Screenwriter: Abraham Polonsky, Ira Wolfert
Distributor: Republic Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 1948, Original
Release Date (DVD): May 11, 2004
Runtime: 1h 18m
Sound Mix: Mono