Bad Day at Black Rock

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Bad Day at Black Rock

Released Jan 7, 1955

1h 21m

Crime

Drama

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Popcornmeter

97%

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34 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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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

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Fabulous 1955 Spencer Tracy story of prejudice.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 23, 2010

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Keith Uhlich

Time Out

John Sturges's macho B-picture is more brawn than brains...but what brawn!

Rated: 4/5

May 19, 2010

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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

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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

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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

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Isaiah Y

Entertaining neo-western with a great performance by Spencer Tracy

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/26/25

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mark g

You don't get a better cast than this. Tracy, Ryan, Marvin, Borgnine, all at the top of their games. Just a classic in every sense of the word. They don't make movies like this anymore.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/03/25

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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

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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

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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

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Russ G

Tracy isn't convincing as the one-armed man; the character is always in a jacket despite the searing desert heat in a dumb attempt to hide the arm that is not in fact missing. 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

02/21/25

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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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