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      The Bribe

      Released Feb 3, 1949 1 hr. 38 min. Crime Drama List
      Reviews 45% 50+ Ratings Audience Score Federal agent Rigby (Robert Taylor) travels to a Central American island to investigate stolen war surplus. Suspicion falls on veteran Tugwell Hintten (John Hodiak) and his alluring singer wife, Elizabeth (Ava Gardner). But Rigby's situation gets more complicated when he starts an affair with Elizabeth. The brains of the scam -- J.J. Bealer (Charles Laughton) and Carwood (Vincent Price) -- offer the lawman a bribe. When he refuses it, both lovers' lives are jeopardized. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

      View All (15) audience reviews
      Steve D Entertaining but won't stick with you. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/01/24 Full Review Roger J Overly long and boring. Unlikely plot. Good cast, of course! Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 12/03/22 Full Review dave j Cop. Rigby (Robert Taylor) takes an interest with an already married singer Elizabeth Hintten (Ava Gardner) while visiting South America. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member I wonder if Francis Ford Coppola was inspired by the opening scene of The Bribe for his opening Martin Sheen scene in Apocalypse Now. There's the tormented protagonist. The voice-over narration. The hotel room with ceiling fan. Anyway, there's much to like about the film including its super performances by Ava Gardner, Robert Taylor, Charles Laughton and John Hodiak. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review s r I'm not a fan of Taylor, but Price, Laughton and the beautiful Gardner more than make up for him. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Okay film noir that features an Ava Gardner is amazingly gorgeous in a femme fatale role in a story about federal agent Robert Taylor investigating missing planes south of the border. Gardner plays the wife of the chief suspect and Taylor soon finds himself falling for Gardner, but isn't so sure it's genuine or if she's manipulating him. A big complaints is the weirdly written narration for Taylor, who talks as if you were his characters, "You play it all wrong..." or "You were thinking about her..." It was just weird. However, besides the gorgeous Gardner you get Charles Laughton and Vincent Price in deliciously hammy roles. And according to IMDB Vincente Minnelli directed the memorable pyrotechnical climax scene. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      The Bribe

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      Critics Reviews

      View All (3) Critics Reviews
      Bob Thomas Associated Press The whole thing bogs down in an aged plot and implausible dialogue. Feb 9, 2019 Full Review Christopher Null Filmcritic.com Rated: 2/5 Apr 8, 2003 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews It is only the heavies, Vincent Price and Charles Laughton, who keep the film dripping with venom. Rated: C Apr 8, 2003 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Federal agent Rigby (Robert Taylor) travels to a Central American island to investigate stolen war surplus. Suspicion falls on veteran Tugwell Hintten (John Hodiak) and his alluring singer wife, Elizabeth (Ava Gardner). But Rigby's situation gets more complicated when he starts an affair with Elizabeth. The brains of the scam -- J.J. Bealer (Charles Laughton) and Carwood (Vincent Price) -- offer the lawman a bribe. When he refuses it, both lovers' lives are jeopardized.
      Director
      Robert Z. Leonard
      Screenwriter
      Marguerite Roberts
      Distributor
      Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
      Production Co
      Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
      Genre
      Crime, Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Feb 3, 1949, Original
      Release Date (DVD)
      Oct 6, 2009