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Bad Day at Black Rock

Play trailer Poster for Bad Day at Black Rock Released Jan 7, 1955 1h 21m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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97% Tomatometer 35 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
When John J. Macreedy (Spencer Tracy), a one-armed war veteran, arrives in the small desert town of Black Rock, he's not greeted warmly. Searching for a man named Komoko, Macreedy is met with disdain by virtually every local, including the resident thug, Hector David (Lee Marvin), and the imposing Reno Smith (Robert Ryan). As Macreedy's investigation deepens, hostility turns to violence -- and to imminent danger for the mysterious and inquisitive stranger.
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Bad Day at Black Rock

Critics Reviews

View All (35) Critics Reviews
David Stratton At the Movies (Australia) This was an early CinemaScope film, and William Mellor frames it all beautifully. It's an outstanding thriller. Mar 4, 2014 Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media Fabulous 1955 Spencer Tracy story of prejudice. Rated: 5/5 Sep 23, 2010 Full Review Keith Uhlich Time Out John Sturges's macho B-picture is more brawn than brains...but what brawn! Rated: 4/5 May 19, 2010 Full Review Grant Watson Fiction Machine The first thing that really impresses on the viewer of Black Rock is the unsettling level of menace. Rated: 10/10 Jan 28, 2024 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Few sights in this world are as beautiful as watching rednecks get their comeuppance, and Spencer Tracy’s stubborn vet is determined to take care of business in this tight (81 minutes) thriller. Rated: 3.5/4 Apr 4, 2023 Full Review George N. Fenin Film Culture The skill of some sequences, the mood and symbiosis between man and nature makes this film sometimes superior to High Noon by Fred Zinnemann. Dec 15, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (336) audience reviews
Douglas P I thought it would be a western. I just barely stayed away. Watching it again would be out of the question. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 08/25/24 Full Review A.L.Jude P It was a rock-solid piece of work in 50's that still could not achieve in todays standards. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/30/24 Full Review Mary M I am amazed at how good this movie is. I almost didn't watch it as I dismissed it as a 'guy movie', but it is expertly written, filmed and acted. Spencer Tracy and many great character actors are at their best. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/02/24 Full Review Russ Tracy isn't convincing as the one-armed man and Robert Ryan stinks up everything he's in, unless, like "The Longest Day," the cast is so large that he's inconsequential. Plot sucks and even at an hour twenty minutes this drags. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 03/01/24 Full Review Mitch C Star-studded with a cast of legends. Do yourself a favor. Resist reading about the plot. It's best going in blind, and letting everything unfold. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/29/24 Full Review Franky L This movie stars two of my favorite actors: Earnest and Spencer Tracy. This is a film about prejudice, injustice and the changes in the USA pist WWII. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Bad Day at Black Rock

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Movie Info

Synopsis When John J. Macreedy (Spencer Tracy), a one-armed war veteran, arrives in the small desert town of Black Rock, he's not greeted warmly. Searching for a man named Komoko, Macreedy is met with disdain by virtually every local, including the resident thug, Hector David (Lee Marvin), and the imposing Reno Smith (Robert Ryan). As Macreedy's investigation deepens, hostility turns to violence -- and to imminent danger for the mysterious and inquisitive stranger.
Director
John Sturges
Producer
Dore Schary
Screenwriter
Millard Kaufman, Howard Breslin, Don McGuire
Distributor
Criterion Collection, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 7, 1955, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 5, 2008
Runtime
1h 21m
Sound Mix
Mono, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track
Aspect Ratio
70mm
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