Odds Against Tomorrow

1959

1 hr. 35 min.

Crime

Drama

List

88%

16 Reviews

Tomatometer

84%

500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Disgraced former police officer David Burke (Ed Begley) is looking for a way to make some quick money. When he decides to rob a bank, he calls on mean ex-con Earl Slater (Robert Ryan) and black entertainer Johnny Ingram (Harry Belafonte) to help him pull off the heist. Johnny is reluctant to agree but is forced to reconsider because of his significant gambling debts, while racist Earl balks because of Johnny's involvement. Ultimately, though, they must work together to get the job done.

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david f

This is pretty gritty and low-budget but it has a certain charm.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Outstanding late film noir era movie. Robert Ryan at his best as a loathsome creep. Gloria Grahame does a wonderful job conveying 50's era lust with her facial expressions. Belafonte also shines. A tale of life's losers on a criminal collision course.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

jason m

Good performances all-round, the issue of race, and that jazzy score elevate this paint-by-numbers plot into something watchable.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Robert Wise's direction, Abraham Polonsky's script, Joseph C. Brun's cinematography and the acting by Harry Belafonte, Robert Ryan and Ed Begley all deserve praise. The appearances by Shelley Winters and Gloria Grahame are too short.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Rich in detail and characterizations, masterfully filmed with powerful, believable, inter-related performances. The in-your-face ending makes it impossible to miss the message underlying this suspense-filled heist film. An exceptional noir.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

linda b

At first you think its a B movie, but as you get into it, you see how well put together it is. It came to my mind that it seemed a lot like a "Tarantino" film. Interesting how they melded the 'race' aspect into the story, giving you thought; somewhat shocking at first, but realistic.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Robert Wise

Director

Harry Belafonte

Johnny Ingram

Robert Ryan

Earle Slater

Shelley Winters

Lorry

Ed Begley

Dave Burke

Gloria Grahame

Helen

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Derek Smith

Slant Magazine

Robert Wise’s Odds Against Tomorrow is a pointed critique of race in America, and it’s as tense, thrilling, and relevant today as it was in 1959.

Feb 1, 2024

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Director Robert Wise has drawn fine performances from his players. It is the most sustained acting Belafonte has done. Ryan makes the flesh crawl as the fanatical bigot.

Jul 10, 2018

Full Review

Paul Tickell

Sight & Sound

The genius of the film is that its Greek tragedy is rooted in the here and now of a racially divided 1950s America.

Jul 10, 2018

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

This very strong film noir by Robert Wise, and with a screenplay co-written by the blacklisted Abraham Polonsky, can be a bit heavy, but it's brutally effective.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 20, 2024

Full Review

Howard Cook

Billboard

Lewis manages some interesting effects to create musical tension to parallel the action by switching from the small group to big orchestra.

Mar 24, 2023

Full Review

Jennie Kermode

Eye for Film

The striking framing by director Robert Wise and cinematographer Joseph C Brun...adds an extra layer of menace to the urban environment.

Rated: 3.5/5

Mar 10, 2023

Full Review

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Synopsis

Disgraced former police officer David Burke (Ed Begley) is looking for a way to make some quick money. When he decides to rob a bank, he calls on mean ex-con Earl Slater (Robert Ryan) and black entertainer Johnny Ingram (Harry Belafonte) to help him pull off the heist. Johnny is reluctant to agree but is forced to reconsider because of his significant gambling debts, while racist Earl balks because of Johnny's involvement. Ultimately, though, they must work together to get the job done.

Director: Robert Wise
Screenwriter: Abraham Polonsky, Nelson Gidding
Production Co: HarBel Productions
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Dec 2, 2003

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