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The Captive City

Play trailer Poster for The Captive City Released Mar 26, 1952 1h 31m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
70% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 67% 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.

Critics Reviews

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Variety Staff Variety A tense, absorbing drama. Mar 4, 2009 Full Review Ed Gonzalez Slant Magazine Cutting Citizen Kane and The Magnificent Ambersons definitely did Wise a few favors. May 1, 2006 Full Review Bosley Crowther New York Times Somewhere along about the middle of all these goings-on, an alert and knowing observer may spot some provoking holes. Mar 25, 2006 Full Review Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com The Captive City is staunchly dated and drained of efficacy. Rated: 2/5 Oct 14, 2020 Full Review TV Guide 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. Rated: 3/5 Oct 30, 2015 Full Review Adrian Turner Radio Times An expos of organised crime, as seen through the eyes of a small-town newspaper editor, played by John Forsyth. Rated: 3/5 Oct 30, 2015 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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s r A film noir that included a cameo from Senator Estes Kefauver. I struggled initially, but then got drawn in for the conclusion. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Dated but interesting expose of organized crime. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member A very good film noir movie on organised crime in America Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member John Forsythe just doesn't get enough credit for his excellent Henry Fonda impersonations. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member 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! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Captive City

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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