🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Samuel Fuller
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller, Film Noir
- Release year: 1961
- Runtime (length): 1h 39min
- IMDb rating: 7.3/10 (4.2K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 86%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A kid’s dad gets murdered, so he decides the best revenge is to become a criminal himself, go to jail on purpose, get the names, and then trick the other killers and the government, which somehow works way better than it should.
🍿 Underworld U.S.A.: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Origins of Vengeance
The film opens in December 1939, introducing Tolly Devlin as a 14-year-old boy. He tragically witnesses the brutal beating and murder of his father by four men in a dark alley. The traumatic event leaves a deep scar on Tolly, instilling in him an unwavering vow to avenge his father’s death. Refusing to cooperate with the police, young Tolly declares his intention to seek justice on his own terms. This formative experience sets him on a path outside the law, shaping his future and driving his every decision.
Infiltration and Opportunity
Years later, Tolly Devlin has become a hardened ex-convict with a record for safe-cracking. While serving time in prison, he encounters one of the men responsible for his father’s murder, who is now dying. Before the man’s death, Tolly extracts the names of the other three accomplices. Upon release, Tolly discovers that these three men have risen to powerful positions within a nationwide crime syndicate operating under the guise of a legitimate business called National Accounts. Driven by his lifelong quest, Tolly begins manipulating events to infiltrate the organization, aiming to get close enough to his targets to execute his revenge.
⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Tolly Devlin (Cliff Robertson): The ex-convict who seeks vengeance for his father’s murder by infiltrating the mob.
- Cuddles (Dolores Dorn): A mob drug courier and Tolly’s love interest who brings a touch of humanity to his quest.
- Sandy (Beatrice Kay): Tolly’s tough yet caring mother figure who owns a tavern connected to the underworld.
- Earl Connors (Robert Emhardt): The outwardly respectable crime syndicate boss targeted by Tolly.
- Gus Cottahee (Richard Rust): A cold and ruthless mob henchman and one of the men Tolly seeks to eliminate.
- John Driscoll (Larry Gates): A federal investigator who Tolly manipulates to help him dismantle the crime syndicate.
- Gela (Paul Dubov): One of the four mobsters who killed Tolly’s father and now a high-ranking member of the syndicate.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Tolly Devlin – Aged 14: “I’ll get those punks my own way.” – Vowing revenge to the woman Sandy after witnessing his father’s murder.
- Gela: “I wish my kid felt about me the way Tolly feels about his old man.” – A mobster remarks on Tolly’s apparent loyalty, ironically unaware of his true intentions.
- Earl Connors: “Don’t tell me the end of the needle has a conscience.” – The ruthless crime boss criticizes his lieutenants for not selling enough drugs, emphasizing their inhumanity.
- Sandy: “No matter what she’s been, what she’s done. She’s a giant! And you wanna know why? Well, I’ll tell ya. Because she sees something in you worth saving… But you’re a midget! In your head, in your heart, in your whole makeup. You’re a midget!” – Sandy confronts Tolly about his treatment of Cuddles and his single-minded, destructive pursuit of revenge.
- Killer (unspecified): “Gimme a light!” – Said casually by a killer after triggering a fatal car bomb, highlighting the chilling banality of violence.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $1,000,000 (estimated)
- Domestic Gross: Unknown
- Worldwide Gross: Unknown
💥 Underworld U.S.A. Reviews
Personal Review
Wow, okay, this movie hits you hard right from the start! I wasn’t sure what to expect from a 60s crime flick, but Sam Fuller really knows how to make a movie feel raw and intense. Cliff Robertson as Tolly is just this force of nature, completely consumed by revenge, and you can’t take your eyes off him even when he’s doing questionable things. There were parts that felt a little low-budget, sure, like those strangely empty streets, but honestly, it kind of adds to the gritty vibe. And characters like Sandy with her creepy dolls, or that chilling henchman Gus, they just stick with you. It’s got this amazing energy that keeps you hooked. Even though the ending felt a bit predictable and maybe a little over-the-top, the journey getting there was wild. It made me feel like I was right there in this shadowy, brutal world. Definitely worth watching if you like tough, stylish crime films with a unique flair.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of classic film noir and neo-noir”
- “Viewers interested in Samuel Fuller’s directorial style”
- “Enthusiasts of revenge thrillers and organized crime dramas”
- “Those who appreciate gritty, no-nonsense storytelling”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Strong Violence (including scenes of brutality and a shocking depiction of harm to a child)”
- “Mature Thematic Elements (organized crime, drug dealing, prostitution)”
Professional Reviews
- Film Noir Weekly: “Sam Fuller delivers a searing, no-holds-barred crime drama. Cliff Robertson embodies the relentless Tolly Devlin with a cool, almost unsettling intensity. The film’s raw energy and visual punch, especially the stark black and white cinematography, are ahead of their time. While the plot stretches credulity, the sheer force of Fuller’s direction and memorable supporting performances, particularly from Beatrice Kay and Richard Rust, make this a must-see for fans of tough, gritty cinema.
- Classic Cinema Critic: “”Underworld U.S.A.” stands out as a late-cycle noir that feels shockingly modern. Fuller’s signature tabloid sensibility injects hyper-realism into its pulpy revenge narrative. Robertson’s portrayal is fascinatingly complex, a vengeful force of nature. The film doesn’t shy away from brutality, showcasing shocking moments that highlight the amorality of its world. It’s a lean, mean machine of a movie that grabs you and doesn’t let go, showcasing Fuller’s mastery of low-budget filmmaking.
Audience Reactions
Viewers loved the raw, intense style and relentless pacing.: Many praised Cliff Robertson’s committed performance and the memorable supporting characters like Beatrice Kay’s Sandy and Richard Rust’s Gus.
Overall Consensus: A tough, gripping, and influential Sam Fuller crime drama praised for its raw style, strong lead performance, and memorable characters, despite some plot contrivances.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film was based on a series of articles from the Saturday Evening Post exposing organized crime.”
- “Director Samuel Fuller, a World War II veteran, included the symbol of the U.S. Army’s First Infantry Division, his unit, on a certificate hanging in John Driscoll’s office.”
- “Some reviewers noted that scenes and sets appeared artificial or low-budget, which is characteristic of Fuller’s efficient filmmaking style.”
- “The character Gus, who dons sunglasses before committing murders, is considered a stylistic precursor to similar cold-blooded killers in later films like Don Siegel’s ‘The Killers’ (1964).”
🖥️ How to Watch Underworld U.S.A.?
As a classic film from 1961, ‘Underworld U.S.A.’ is often available through digital purchase or rental. You can typically find it to buy or rent on platforms like Amazon Prime Video. Availability on subscription streaming services can vary, but it occasionally appears on services specializing in classic or crime films. Physical media collectors may seek out DVD or Blu-ray releases, although specific editions like the mentioned Twilight Time Blu-ray might be out of print.
🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Underworld U.S.A., you might like these similar films:
- Point Blank (1967): Shares a similar plot of a tough, single-minded protagonist pursuing a brutal revenge against a sprawling criminal organization.
- Blast of Silence (1961): A gritty, independent-spirited crime film released in the same year, known for its harsh depiction of the criminal underworld.
- The Naked Kiss (1964): Another bold, convention-breaking film by Samuel Fuller exploring dark societal themes and featuring complex female characters, appealing to fans of his unique style.
- The Outfit (1973): A later, similarly intense revenge thriller where the protagonist takes on an entire crime syndicate after a family member is killed.
- Drive (2011): A modern neo-noir featuring a stoic, highly competent protagonist operating within a dangerous criminal world, driven by a personal code and resorting to brutal violence.
🛒 Underworld U.S.A. Related Products
- Underworld U.S.A. (The Criterion Collection Blu-ray): Experience Sam Fuller’s brutal masterpiece in stunning high-definition, featuring restored picture and sound, plus bonus content like critical analysis and filmmaker interviews.
- A Third Face: My Tale of Writing, Fighting, and Filmmaking (Samuel Fuller Autobiography): Dive into the life and mind of the film’s visionary director, Samuel Fuller, known for his hard-hitting, no-nonsense approach to cinema and life.
- Classic Film Noir Collection (Digital Bundle): A digital bundle featuring iconic crime dramas from the 1940s-1960s that share thematic and stylistic similarities with ‘Underworld U.S.A.’, including films by directors like Don Siegel or Phil Karlson.
- Underworld U.S.A. (Movie Poster Reprint): High-quality reprint of the original theatrical poster art, capturing the stark, intense style of the film’s marketing.
🎧 Soundtrack
Underworld U.S.A. features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘Underworld U.S.A.’ is widely considered a late example of classic film noir or an early example of neo-noir. While released in 1961, it retains many key elements of the genre, including a dark, gritty urban setting, a revenge-driven protagonist operating in a morally ambiguous world, fatalism, and striking black-and-white cinematography with high contrast lighting.
‘Underworld U.S.A.’ was directed, written, and produced by Samuel Fuller. Fuller was known for his distinctive, often low-budget, high-intensity films with a tabloid sensibility and a focus on raw emotion and hard-hitting themes.
The film tells the story of Tolly Devlin, a man consumed by a lifelong quest for revenge. After witnessing his father’s murder as a child, he dedicates his adult life to tracking down the four mobsters responsible and making them pay, navigating the treacherous landscape of organized crime and law enforcement to achieve his goal.
Yes, for its time, ‘Underworld U.S.A.’ was considered quite brutal and violent. It depicts stark acts of violence within the criminal underworld, including beatings, murders, and even a particularly shocking scene involving the death of a child. Its confrontational style was characteristic of director Samuel Fuller.
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