Crossfire Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A detective and a sergeant try to find a murderer who hates anyone different, but mostly they just talk about it.

🍿 Crossfire: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Murder and Initial Investigation

In post-World War II Washington D.C., Joseph Samuels is found murdered in his apartment. Police Captain Finlay begins an investigation, focusing on a group of recently discharged soldiers who were seen with Samuels at a local bar. The initial suspect is Corporal Arthur Mitchell, whose wallet is found at the crime scene. Sergeant Peter Keeley, a friend of Mitchell, believes in his innocence and begins his own investigation to clear Mitchell’s name.

Keeley’s Investigation and Shifting Suspicions

Keeley interviews Mitchell, who remembers little from the night due to heavy drinking. Mitchell recalls meeting a woman named Ginny at a nightclub and spending time with her. As Keeley and Finlay delve deeper, they discover that Montgomery, another soldier in the group, harbors deep-seated prejudices. His violent behavior and hateful remarks begin to paint him as a more likely suspect in Samuels’ murder.

Finlay’s Plan and the Unmasking of the Killer

Captain Finlay, piecing together the evidence and recognizing the motive of hatred, sets a trap to expose the real killer. He uses Leroy, a young and impressionable soldier who witnessed parts of the night’s events, as bait. The plan is designed to force the killer to reveal himself, confirming Finlay’s suspicions about Montgomery’s guilt.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Finlay (Robert Young): A homicide captain investigating the murder, who eventually uncovers the underlying motive of prejudice.
• Keeley (Robert Mitchum): An army sergeant who helps in the investigation and tries to clear his friend of suspicion.
• Montgomery (Robert Ryan): The violent and prejudiced soldier who is revealed to be the murderer.
• Ginny (Gloria Grahame): A nightclub hostess who provides a crucial piece of the puzzle in the murder investigation.
• Samuels (Sam Levene): The Jewish victim of a hate crime, murdered by a bigoted soldier.
• Mitchell (George Cooper): A sensitive and troubled soldier wrongly suspected of murder.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Finlay: “Hating is always the same, always senseless.” – This line encapsulates the film’s message about the futility and universality of prejudice.
• Finlay: “One day it kills Irish Catholics, the next day Jews, the next day Protestants, the next day Quakers.” – Finlay illustrates how hatred can target any group based on prejudice.
• Finlay: “It’s hard to stop. It can end up killing men who wear striped neckties. Or people from Tennessee.” – He extends the scope of potential victims of hate to emphasize its arbitrary nature.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $250,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $1.275M

💥 Crossfire Reviews

Personal Review

I was genuinely impressed by ‘Crossfire.’ Robert Ryan’s performance as the bigoted Montgomery is terrifying. The message about prejudice is still relevant, and it really made me think about how easily hate can spread. The shadows and dark alleys created a perfect noir atmosphere, too! The ending left me feeling disturbed. I will think about this movie for a long time!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of film noir”
  • “Those interested in social commentary films”
  • “Viewers interested in post-World War II dramas”
  • “Those who appreciate classic Hollywood cinema”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Anti-Semitic language”
  • “Themes of prejudice and hate”

Professional Reviews

• High on Films: “Crossfire fearlessly explores prejudice in post-war America, with Robert Ryan’s chilling performance anchoring this suspenseful noir. The film pulls no punches in its depiction of bigotry, making it a relevant commentary on intolerance.
• HeyUGuys.co.uk: “While the message can be heavy-handed at times, Crossfire’s exploration of prejudice is compelling, even decades later. The film features Robert Ryan’s memorable acting and J. Roy Hunt’s beautiful cinematography that emphasizes the film’s dark tone.
• IMDB: “A must-see for film noir fans! Thanks to a fine script and razor-sharp direction, a top cast works together to produce a crackerjack psychological thriller. Wonderful characterizations articulate the movie’s powerful message about the dangers of racial and religious intolerance.

Audience Reactions

Robert Ryan’s performance makes this film a classic.: Viewers found the film’s message about intolerance powerful and enduring.

Beautifully shot and well-acted: A great example of the film-noir genre.

Overall Consensus: Crossfire is a compelling film noir that tackles a difficult subject with intensity and conviction. Robert Ryan is the highlight.

Awards

1. Special Achievement Award (Promoting Tolerance)- 1947

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Based on Richard Brooks’ novel ‘The Brick Foxhole,’ the film’s focus was changed from homophobia to anti-Semitism due to censorship concerns at the time.”
• “Producer Adrian Scott, who purchased the rights to the novel, made the decision to shift the focus to anti-Semitism, knowing a depiction of homosexuality would not pass the Production Code Administration.”
• “The film was shot in just 20 days on a low budget by RKO standards, showcasing efficient filmmaking techniques.”
• “Robert Ryan’s intense performance as Montgomery earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, solidifying his reputation as a compelling character actor.”
• “Kid Ory’s Creole Jazz Band’s music is featured in the film, adding to the authentic atmosphere of the nightclub scenes.”

🖥️ How to Watch Crossfire?

As a classic film from 1947, “Crossfire” may be available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. Check local listings for potential broadcast schedules on classic movie channels. Physical copies on DVD or Blu-ray may also be available for purchase online.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Crossfire, you might like these similar films:

• Gentleman’s Agreement (1947): Deals directly with the issue of anti-Semitism in post-war America, exploring prejudice in a more overt way.
• The Best Years of Our Lives (1946): Explores the difficulties faced by returning soldiers adjusting to civilian life, a theme present in ‘Crossfire’.
• Odds Against Tomorrow (1959): Features Robert Ryan as a racist character, similar to his role in ‘Crossfire’, highlighting the destructive nature of prejudice.
• Detachment (2011): Depicts the consequences of societal apathy and intolerance, similar to how ‘Crossfire’ exposes the dangers of unchecked hatred.

🛒 Crossfire Related Products

• Robert Ryan: A Biography and Critical Filmography: Discover the life and career of Robert Ryan, whose terrifying turn as Montgomery made ‘Crossfire’ unforgettable. This biography offers insights into Ryan’s complex personality and dedication to his craft, making it a must-read for fans of classic film.
• Film Noir: The Dark Side of Hollywood: Delve into the history of film noir. Learn about the visual styles and thematic elements of the genre. This purchase includes film clips of many titles from the Golden Age of film noir. Learn more about the dark side of the Golden Age.
• Film Noir: Complete Collection: Add a touch of classic Hollywood to your collection. This collection include a variety of titles: The Maltese Falcon, Double Indemnity, Out of the Past, The Big Sleep, Laura, The Killers, Touch of Evil, Sunset Boulevard, The Big Heat, The Asphalt Jungle, and Kiss Me Deadly.
• RKO Classic Films: Explore a collection of titles such as: Citizen Kane, King Kong, The Best Years Of Our Lives, The Bells Of St Mary’s, The Hunchback Of Notre Dame, Gunga Din, and a slew of others. Own a piece of film history.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Shine” – performed by Kid Ory’s Creole Jazz Band
• “Whinin’ Boy Blues” – performed by Jelly Roll Morton

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Official Crossfire Commercial

Ever wonder how movies used to be sold to audiences back in the day? This vintage ‘Crossfire’ commercial is a fascinating time capsule, showing how they tried to lure people into theaters. You won’t believe what they focused on!

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