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The Captive City

Play trailer Poster for The Captive City 1952 1h 31m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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70% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 65% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
A private investigator informs small-town newspaper editor Jim Austin (John Forsythe) of corrupt local activity. When the investigator is killed, Austin believes it's an act of revenge, and his own detective work reveals a network of gambling and corruption. Crime boss Murray Sirak (Victor Sutherland) controls the whole town, including the police. Sirak answers to his own boss, "Mr. Big," who is seemingly untouchable, but Austin risks his life to expose the truth.
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The Captive City

Critics Reviews

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Variety Staff Variety 03/04/2009
A tense, absorbing drama. Go to Full Review Ed Gonzalez Slant Magazine 05/01/2006
Cutting Citizen Kane and The Magnificent Ambersons definitely did Wise a few favors. Go to Full Review Bosley Crowther New York Times 03/25/2006
Somewhere along about the middle of all these goings-on, an alert and knowing observer may spot some provoking holes. Go to Full Review Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com 10/14/2020
2/5
The Captive City is staunchly dated and drained of efficacy. Go to Full Review TV Guide 10/30/2015
3/5
Teal is frighteningly realistic as the corrupt police chief, and Sutherland is even more terrifying as the crime boss. Dawson is perfect as the gumshoe whose honesty exceeds his greed. Go to Full Review Adrian Turner Radio Times 10/30/2015
3/5
An expos of organised crime, as seen through the eyes of a small-town newspaper editor, played by John Forsyth. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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s r @ScottR 04/07/2020 A film noir that included a cameo from Senator Estes Kefauver. I struggled initially, but then got drawn in for the conclusion. See more 08/07/2015 Dated but interesting expose of organized crime. See more 08/09/2014 A very good film noir movie on organised crime in America See more 06/02/2010 A reporter discovers his small town is being taken over by a crime syndicate. Kind of disappointing compared to Robert Wise's other noir films like The Set-Up and Odds Against Tomorrow. It is well-directed and makes good use of John Forsythe (not a great actor, but a likable joe). But the story is very been-there-done-that, with nothing too exciting to add. The mob in this movie is rather low-key, by noir standards, and so there isn't as much tension or threat of danger as it feels like there should be. Not a bad movie, just needs more juice. See more 08/08/2009 John Forsythe just doesn't get enough credit for his excellent Henry Fonda impersonations. See more 03/08/2009 Engrossing crime story directed by Robert Wise, with John Forsythe in his first starring role. Some noir elements, but I'm not sure I'd consider it "Film Noir". It's another out of print film, not available on VHS or DVD, that I was able to catch on TCM. Rock on TCM! See more Read all reviews
The Captive City

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Cast & Crew

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Robert Wise

Director

John Forsythe

Jim Austin

Joan Camden

Marge Austin

Harold J. Kennedy

Don Carey

Ray Teal

Chief Gillette

Marjorie Crossland

Mrs. Sirak

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The Captive City

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Movie Info

Synopsis A private investigator informs small-town newspaper editor Jim Austin (John Forsythe) of corrupt local activity. When the investigator is killed, Austin believes it's an act of revenge, and his own detective work reveals a network of gambling and corruption. Crime boss Murray Sirak (Victor Sutherland) controls the whole town, including the police. Sirak answers to his own boss, "Mr. Big," who is seemingly untouchable, but Austin risks his life to expose the truth.
Director
Robert Wise
Producer
Theron Warth
Screenwriter
Karl Kamb
Production Co
Aspen Productions
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 26, 1952, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
May 17, 2017
Runtime
1h 31m
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