On Dangerous Ground

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acsdoug D The first part of the movie is a gritty rogue cop drama set in the city and I found that part interesting. However, the movie then moves to the countryside and that ruined the vibe. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 10/31/24 Full Review Ted B 4.0 stars; Robert Ryan plays a cop who goes through a metamorphosis from a 1920s-style detective who beats a confession out of a criminal and worries about the legal aspects later. Ida Lupino plays a blind girl who lives with her murderer brother in the snow-covered mountains of northern California. The metamorphosis occurs at the clash of personalities, when Ryan's character has to track down the murderer brother. What I enjoyed about this movie was how there was a lot of character depth in a standard film noir plot. I also thought the acting was above par. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/29/24 Full Review Claire L The level of violence for a 1951 film is surprising, this film shows the true underbelly of police violence and sleeze. Robert Ryan is a revelation making me search for more of his work. The scenes in the countryside do seem condensed, but you do not really notice it because the city scenes are so worth it. All the classic tropes of a Noir are here, the soundtrack particularly notable. I'd recommend this to any Film Noir fan. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/12/23 Full Review andrey k This is a unique film-noir and a good character study. It starts as a regular tale about a tough cop but soon it transitions into a more subtle 'ground' revealing the main character to be not so much a tough as a troubled cop; soon the radical change of scenery and tone of the movie skyrockets it into the grounds of cinematic poetry, as the blind woman comes into the view and poignant melodrama takes its place at the helm. With wonderful acting and beautiful score from Bernard Herrmann. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review matthew d Tears from blind eyes. Nicholas Ray and Ida Lupino's film noir On Dangerous Ground (1951) is a fascinating portray of a policeman worn down by the depravity he must deal with on a daily basis, who must learn to love again as he aids a blind woman with a connection to the sad murder of a young girl. Ray's haunting noir direction is as riveting as you'd expect from the man who directed Rebel without a Cause so beautifully. Apparently, actress and director Ida Lupino helped finish directing On Dangerous Ground once Ray fell ill. I'm grateful for her peerless dedication to maintaining Ray's authentic direction and empathetic style. On Dangerous Ground is a classic film noir, and sadly often forgotten picture. Ray and Lupino focus on broken people healing from toxic environments or trauma. Writers A.I. Bezzerides and Gerald Butler find the heart of their complex lonely figures with plenty of social commentary about police brutality, investigative procedure, interrogation techniques, justice, kindness, and redemption. Their words are realistic and heartfelt is intricate crime drama plotting alongside tender romance drama, that all works effectively. Ida Lupino is vulnerable and subtle as Mary Malden, a blind lady living as best she can. Lupino gives Mary a sensitivity and patience that feels real. Ida Lupino is one of the greatest actresses who ever lived, and her romantically tender and incredibly sympathetic role in On Dangerous Ground lets you see why. With tears flowing freely from her blind eyes as she reflects on her loss and pain. Lupino allows you to believe her character is blind, but she sees the truth of Robert Ryan's leading man Jim Wilson. Ryan's stern cop is perfectly jaded with a heavy hand for all, except Lupino's gentle lady Mary. Ida Lupino and Robert Ryan have nice natural chemistry together. Ward Bond's furious father out for revenge is fantastic in On Dangerous Ground. He's quite intense. Charles Kemper is excellent as an honest cop trying to get by named Pop Daly. Roland Gross' editing keeps On Dangerous Ground down to a short 82 of pure empathy and perspective. Sharp cuts give you a real feel for what these characters go through. George E. Diskant's cinematography has gorgeously dark black and white shots, piercing lighting, and haunting wide shots of open icy backdrops. On Dangerous Ground looks spectacular to this day. Bernard Herrmann composed one of his finest scores full of lovely orchestral melodies that are as gentle as Ray and Lupino's vulnerable direction. Herrmann's use of soft and unusual instruments for On Dangerous Ground's compelling score makes it a particularly stimulating composition. Mel Berns' make-up looks excellent with soft looks on ladies and hardened appearance on the men. They look so worn. In all, On Dangerous Ground is a captivating film noir that few fans of the genre will find lacking. Ida Lupino's supporting actress role is so phenomenal, that she's basically the lead actress. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review deke p 3 all star cast.. Ida LUPINO as blind. Robert Ryan plays brutal policeman beating up white guys. Then ... Ward Bond. Interesting. Some thrilling scenes near the end, then very touching. Saw ontv 6.2020 Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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