Bad Day at Black Rock

Released Jan 7, 1955

1h 21m

Crime

Drama

List

97%

Tomatometer

35 Reviews

87%

Audience Score

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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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

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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

TWMax65

My parents had the VHS of this at my old home during my childhood and got it from my grandparents. I was always curious to watch it since it looked a little eerie but cool. Most of the movie was decent but the ending with the shoot out and the molotov cocktail made on the fly was probably my favorite part, as well as when one of the bad guys got a fire hose to the face and another one received a beating with one hand/arm. Much of the dialogue was good, however at times I couldn't get past how old the movie was and it's probably not something I'd watch again. It's a moderately good new-western crime drama.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/04/23

Full Review

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John Sturges

Director

Spencer Tracy

John J. Macreedy

Robert Ryan

Reno Smith

Anne Francis

Liz Wirth

Lee Marvin

Hector David

Dean Jagger

Sheriff Tim Horn

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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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