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      I Became a Criminal

      Released Mar 6, 1948 1h 43m Crime Drama List
      Reviews 82% 100+ Ratings Audience Score Former soldier "Clem" Morgan (Trevor Howard) joins a black market network, but begins to reconsider his role when he realizes he will be transporting drugs. The group's head, Narcy (Griffith Jones), suspects Clem may defect and instead frames him for the murder of a policeman. While in prison, Clem is visited by Sally (Sally Gray), Narcy's former girlfriend, who knows that Clem has been set up. When Clem escapes from prison, she tries to help him, even though Narcy threatens her. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

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      paul d An excellent, raw British noir detective film that pulls no punches. Trevor Griffith is an extremely effective, convincing and evil crime boss. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member British post-war noir that sees ex-RAF flyer Clem Morgan (Trevor Howard) dabbling in black marketeering as a result of his restlessness back in civilian life. But the gang he winds up in, led by nasty Narcy (short for Narcissus, played by Griffith Jones), starts dealing in drugs not just cigarettes. So, Morgan wants out â" but before this can happen, Narcy double-crosses him and sets him up for a fall that results in a 15-year prison sentence. Narcy also steals Morganâ(TM)s girl, which leads Narcyâ(TM)s own ex (Sally Gray) to start working to get Morgan freed from prison (by getting witness Soapy to talk to the cops). Before this can happen, Morgan breaks out of jail on his own and what follows is a cat-and-mouse chase as Morgan tries to track down Narcy and his gang while the cops are hot on his tail. Sally and Soapyâ(TM)s girl Cora are taken hostage. It doesnâ(TM)t end well for anyone. Indeed, the dark ending is what puts this film (from Ealing Studiosâ(TM) Cavalcanti) firmly in the noir genre; before that, it seemed to be a finely observed and stylish adventure tale with an ambiguous âheroâ? headed for the typical âredemptionâ? ending where the hero saves his skin by catching the baddies by himself and turning them over to the cops. Once upon a time, Hollywood would have done it this way but noir changed all that and, here, the Brits take their turn. Worth a look. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member post WWII noir from the UK Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member An almost successful attempt to delve into the criminal mind. This film noir owes a lot to American films of the same genre whilst retaining the gritty social realism the Brits do so well. All of these people are on the edge of society, but some of them have some morality Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member Low-key British drama. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Tough talking British noir that still stands up due to particularly surprising dark and twisted scenes. I've never seen Howard so bitter and the visual dynamic throughout is hugely satisfying. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

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      I Became a Criminal

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      Critics Reviews

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      Joanne Laurier World Socialist Web Site Cavalcanti's film-with its hints of Brecht's Three-Penny Opera and Dickens' Oliver Twist-seems to insist that the society emerging from the "Great War for Democracy" was spawning more than its share of money-hungry, fascistic thugs. Feb 22, 2021 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 2/5 Sep 29, 2005 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews A postwar British noir film; revenge being the theme. Rated: C Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Former soldier "Clem" Morgan (Trevor Howard) joins a black market network, but begins to reconsider his role when he realizes he will be transporting drugs. The group's head, Narcy (Griffith Jones), suspects Clem may defect and instead frames him for the murder of a policeman. While in prison, Clem is visited by Sally (Sally Gray), Narcy's former girlfriend, who knows that Clem has been set up. When Clem escapes from prison, she tries to help him, even though Narcy threatens her.
      Director
      Alberto Cavalcanti
      Producer
      James A. Carter
      Screenwriter
      Noel Langley
      Distributor
      Warner Bros.
      Production Co
      Alliance Entertainment
      Genre
      Crime, Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Mar 6, 1948, Original
      Release Date (Streaming)
      May 23, 2017
      Runtime
      1h 43m