Dark Passage Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A wrongly convicted dude busts out of jail, gets a new face, and somehow finds love while proving he didn’t do the crime, despite leaving fingerprints everywhere.

🍿 Dark Passage: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Escape from San Quentin

Vincent Parry, wrongly convicted of murdering his wife, escapes from San Quentin prison. The film initially uses a subjective camera, showing the world through Vincent’s eyes as he flees, creating a unique and unsettling perspective. He’s desperate to evade capture and clear his name.

Aiding the Fugitive

Irene Jansen, a sympathetic woman who believes in Vincent’s innocence, offers him refuge. She hides him in her stylish San Francisco apartment, providing him with support and resources. Irene’s motives are rooted in her own father’s wrongful conviction, making her deeply empathetic to Vincent’s plight.

A New Face

Recognizing the danger of his recognizable face, Vincent seeks a plastic surgeon through a contact provided by a kind cab driver. The surgery is risky and performed in secrecy. The film employs a surreal dream sequence during the operation, adding to the film’s unsettling atmosphere.

Unraveling the Truth

After the surgery, Vincent, now with a changed appearance, begins to investigate his wife’s murder. He uncovers a web of deceit and betrayal, facing danger at every turn. His investigation leads him closer to the real killer, putting him and Irene at risk.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Vincent Parry (Humphrey Bogart): A wrongly convicted man escapes prison and undergoes plastic surgery to prove his innocence.
• Irene Jansen (Lauren Bacall): A sympathetic artist who believes in Vincent’s innocence and helps him evade the law.
• Madge Rapf (Agnes Moorehead): A deceitful and vindictive acquaintance who played a key role in Vincent’s wrongful conviction.
• Bob (Bruce Bennett): Irene’s current boyfriend.
• Cabby – Sam (Tom D’Andrea): A kindly cab driver who connects Vincent with a plastic surgeon to alter his appearance.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Vincent Parry: “You know, it’s wonderful when guys like you lose out. Makes guys like me think maybe we got a chance in this world.” – Parry says this to Baker, the blackmailer, expressing his resentment towards those who try to take advantage of others.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.6M
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $9.69K

💥 Dark Passage Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘Dark Passage’ isn’t perfect, but I really enjoyed it! Seeing Bogart’s face revealed after all that time was a great moment. And Bacall is just stunning. I loved the scenes in her apartment; that glass elevator was so cool. Yeah, the plot is a bit convoluted, but the atmosphere and the chemistry between Bogie and Bacall made it worth watching.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall”
  • “Lovers of classic film noir”
  • “Viewers interested in innovative cinematography”
  • “Those who enjoy crime thrillers with a touch of romance”
  • “People who appreciate movies set in San Francisco”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Murder”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Brief disturbing surgical imagery”

Professional Reviews

• ScreenRant: “While less celebrated than ‘To Have and Have Not’ or ‘The Big Sleep’, ‘Dark Passage’ offers another chance to witness the captivating on-screen chemistry between Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. The film showcases their unique dynamic within a thrilling film noir setting.
• IMDB User Review: “While the first person perspective is initially intriguing, it becomes tiresome. Agnes Moorehead steals every scene she’s in, but the script is riddled with coincidences that strain believability. Bogart and Bacall’s chemistry is undeniable, but even they can’t fully overcome the plot’s weaknesses.
• IMDB User Review: “A great film with stylish cinematography and a unique take on the noir genre. The use of San Francisco as a backdrop is stunning, and the supporting cast delivers strong performances. However, the plot requires some suspension of disbelief due to its reliance on coincidence.

Audience Reactions

Viewers are captivated by Bogart and Bacall’s magnetic screen presence.: The film’s greatest strength lies in the undeniable chemistry between Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.

Many enjoy the initial first-person perspective despite any quirks.: Viewers appreciate the film’s unique visual style, especially the use of the subjective camera early on.

Overall Consensus: While praised for its atmosphere, the on-screen presence of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, and the striking scenery of San Francisco, ‘Dark Passage’ is often criticized for its convoluted plot and reliance on implausible coincidences.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The first third of the movie is shot from Vincent Parry’s point of view, with Humphrey Bogart’s face not shown until after his character has plastic surgery. This was an unusual technique for the time.”
• “The apartment building used in the film is located at 1360 Montgomery St. in San Francisco. As of 2023, it is still standing and visited by fans of vintage film noir.”
• “Reportedly, studio head Jack Warner was displeased that Bogart’s face wasn’t shown for the first half of the film and didn’t give the movie much publicity as a result.”

🖥️ How to Watch Dark Passage?

Currently, “Dark Passage” is available for purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check listings to see if included with subscriptions.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Dark Passage, you might like these similar films:

• The Big Sleep (1946): Another Bogart and Bacall film noir with a complex plot and memorable dialogue.
• Rear Window (1954): Shares the theme of subjective perspective and suspense, as the protagonist observes events from a limited viewpoint.
• The Third Man (1949): Another noir classic set in a distinctive European location, featuring a protagonist trying to uncover the truth.
• Lady in the Lake (1947): Notably uses the subjective camera technique throughout the entire movie, similar to the first part of Dark Passage.

🛒 Dark Passage Related Products

• Humphrey Bogart: The Signature Collection (The Maltese Falcon / Casablanca / The Big Sleep / Dark Passage / Key Largo): Own all of Humphrey Bogart’s signature films with this digital collection, available for streaming and download. Relive the iconic performances and unforgettable stories anytime, anywhere.
• The Complete Humphrey Bogart Film Collection – 51 Movie Set: This set contains 51 movies from Humphrey Bogart, including Dark Passage and other iconic films from his extensive career. A treasure for film buffs and collectors, with hours of classic entertainment.
• Lauren Bacall: By Myself: Lauren Bacall’s autobiography, ‘By Myself’, takes you behind the scenes of her incredible life. Get to know the real woman behind the captivating actress, a must-read for fans.
• Film Noir: The Dark Side of Hollywood V (Blu-ray): Explore four overlooked film noir gems: The Guilty (1947), High Wall (1947),The Argyle Secrets (1948) and The Man Who Cheated Himself (1950). Each picture is a prime example of low budget genre fare and has its own unique flavor.

🎧 Soundtrack

Dark Passage features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Too Marvelous for Words” – performed by Jo Stafford

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Defining Film Noir

Want to know what makes *Dark Passage* a classic Film Noir? This video breaks down the genre’s key elements and uses Dark Passage as an example, definitely worth a watch!

CLASSIC MOVIE REVIEW: Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall in THE BIG SLEEP from STEVE HAYES

This review of *The Big Sleep* also gives some love to *Dark Passage*, which is part of Bogart and Bacall’s signature collection. Their chemistry is so amazing and is also worth checking out!

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