Nightfall Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

An artist accidentally helps bank robbers, gets shot, loses their giant bag of money somewhere in snowy Wyoming, then spends the rest of the movie running from them (and everyone else) while awkwardly dating a fashion model.

🍿 Nightfall: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Man Under Suspicion

James Vanning, an artist, is living a life on the run, constantly looking over his shoulder. He encounters Marie Gardner, a model, in a Los Angeles bar, and a connection forms. However, their meeting quickly draws the attention of two dangerous criminals who seem to know Vanning.

The City Hunt Begins

The criminals, John and Red, abduct Vanning, demanding to know the location of a large sum of stolen money. Vanning is also being tracked by Ben Fraser, an insurance investigator working for the bank that was robbed. Vanning manages to escape the criminals and seeks refuge with Marie, who reluctantly becomes involved in his perilous situation.

The Backstory Revealed: The Wyoming Incident

Through a series of flashbacks, Vanning recounts the events that led to his current predicament. While on a hunting trip in the snowy mountains of Wyoming with his doctor friend, Edward Gurston, they encountered a car crash involving John and Red, who had just robbed a bank. Vanning and Gurston, in a moment of unfortunate goodwill, attempted to help.

Murder, Mistake, and the Missing Money

The criminals revealed themselves as robbers and killed Dr. Gurston to eliminate witnesses, attempting to kill Vanning as well. However, in their haste, they mistakenly took Gurston’s medical bag instead of their bag containing the $350,000 loot. A wounded Vanning escaped with the bag of money but lost it somewhere in the snowy wilderness. Now, he is wanted by the police for murder and hunted by John and Red who believe he has the money or knows its location, but Vanning genuinely cannot recall where he lost it.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• James Vanning (Aldo Ray): An artist falsely accused of murder and bank robbery, who is pursued by both the authorities and the real criminals while trying to find the missing money.
• Marie Gardner (Anne Bancroft): A fashion model who becomes unexpectedly entangled with James Vanning and aids him in his flight from the criminals.
• John (Brian Keith): One of two dangerous bank robbers relentlessly pursuing James Vanning to retrieve their stolen money which they believe he possesses.
• Red (Rudy Bond): John’s sadistic and violent partner, who is eager to harm Vanning to force him to reveal the location of the lost loot.
• Ben Fraser (James Gregory): An insurance investigator tracking Vanning to recover the stolen bank funds, who begins to suspect Vanning may be innocent.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• James Vanning: “Nice place. I’ll try not to bleed over everything.” – Said wryly upon entering Marie’s apartment after being roughed up by the thugs.
• Marie Gardner: “You’re the most wanted man I know.” – Said to Vanning with a mix of affection and exasperation after he picks her up and carries her out of the fashion show to escape the villains.
• Marie Gardner: “Things that really happen are difficult to explain.” – A line that is noted as capturing the theme of the film, reflecting the bizarre coincidences entangling the characters.
• Red: “Maybe Vanning’s inside.” – A notable goof where the character uses the wrong name for James Vanning before they would have known him by that alias.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Nightfall Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I just watched ‘Nightfall’ and wow, what a wild ride! This is classic film noir tension, starting out mysterious and slowly revealing the whole crazy story through flashbacks. I was immediately hooked, wondering how Aldo Ray’s character got into such deep trouble. Seeing a really young Anne Bancroft was cool, she totally lights up the screen even in this earlier role. The dynamic between her and Ray was interesting, like two people just trying to figure things out while the world is closing in. And seriously, the bad guys were amazing – Rudy Bond as Red was genuinely unsettling with that weird laugh! The change of scenery from the city hustle to the isolated, snowy mountains was super effective; it really made the stakes feel higher when they were out in the open. The ending is pretty intense and sticks with you. It might have a few moments where you think, ‘Wait, how did THAT happen?’, but honestly, the atmosphere and performances kept me glued to the screen. Definitely recommend it if you like a good thriller with some noir style!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic film noir”
  • “Viewers who enjoy suspenseful crime dramas”
  • “Those interested in the early careers of Anne Bancroft and Brian Keith”
  • “Fans of director Jacques Tourneur’s work”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence (including a chilling murder scene and gruesome death)”
  • “Torture (implied/briefly shown)”
  • “Mature themes typical of crime dramas (bank robbery, pursuit, threat)”

Professional Reviews

• Synthesized from user reviews: “Jacques Tourneur brings his signature atmospheric touch to this late-period noir. While the plot leans heavily on coincidence and Aldo Ray’s lead performance is debated, the film excels in its visual contrasts, shifting from shadowy urban settings to the stark beauty of Wyoming. Brian Keith and Rudy Bond deliver standout turns as compelling villains. A solid, underappreciated thriller worth seeking out.
• Synthesized from user reviews: “”Nightfall” is a brisk, engaging thriller from director Tourneur. Its non-linear structure and reliance on chance echo his earlier work. Anne Bancroft is luminous in an early role, adding much-needed charisma. While the central premise requires some suspension of disbelief (especially involving a certain lost bag), the tension is maintained throughout. The villains are particularly memorable, elevating the standard chase narrative.
• Synthesized from user reviews: “Burnett Guffey’s stunning cinematography is a key asset in “Nightfall.” The film effectively builds suspense through its flashback structure and contrasts of setting. Though Aldo Ray’s casting has drawn varied opinions, he fits the ‘everyman in over his head’ archetype. The film’s flaws are minor compared to its strengths, including its memorable characters and a surprisingly brutal climax. A compelling, if imperfect, entry in the genre.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers were captivated by the film’s shift from urban noir to the stark, beautiful winter landscapes.: The villains, especially Rudy Bond’s portrayal of Red, were frequently cited as chilling and memorable.

Anne Bancroft’s early performance received positive attention for her charm and screen presence.: Audiences appreciated Jacques Tourneur’s direction and the effective use of flashbacks to build suspense.

The film’s tight pacing and exciting, albeit sometimes improbable, plot twists kept viewers engaged.: The climactic sequence in the snow was highlighted as a particularly tense and impactful moment.

Overall Consensus: A well-regarded if slightly overlooked film noir that delivers on atmosphere, suspense, and strong character performances, particularly from its villains, despite a plot that tests credulity at times.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Costume designer Jean Louis, known for his work on classics like “From Here to Eternity” and later the TV show “Green Acres,” designed Anne Bancroft’s costumes, including the ball gown featured in the fashion show sequence.”
• “Director Jacques Tourneur and cinematographer Burnett Guffey deliberately contrasted the dark, shadow-filled urban scenes with the stark, blindingly white snowscapes of Wyoming to reflect the characters’ psychological states and the unpredictable nature of fate.”
• “Filming locations included specific areas in Los Angeles, such as an oil derrick, and actual winter landscapes in Teton County, Wyoming, adding authenticity to the contrasting settings.”
• “The film notably features a ‘day-for-night’ shooting technique in some outdoor scenes, particularly the darker, moody sequences.”
• “Despite being a low-budget B-movie, the film benefited from A-list talent behind the camera, including veteran noir cinematographer Burnett Guffey and acclaimed director Jacques Tourneur.”

🖥️ How to Watch Nightfall?

As a classic film noir, ‘Nightfall’ (1957) may be available through various streaming services that specialize in classic cinema or as part of curated collections. Currently, digital purchase or rental options can typically be found on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and other major digital movie retailers. Check their specific listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• Fargo (1996): A modern crime thriller featuring a plot centered around misplaced money from a botched crime, set partly in a stark, snowy landscape with quirky and violent criminals, and involves unfortunate coincidences leading to darker events.
• On Dangerous Ground (1952): Similar to Nightfall, this film contrasts a gritty urban environment with isolated, snowy rural landscapes as a troubled character pursues or is pursued, exploring themes of escape and entrapment.
• Charley Varrick (1973): Involves a man who unexpectedly acquires money from a criminal operation and finds himself relentlessly pursued by the dangerous original owners.
• The Prowler (1951): A notable film noir that delves into themes of desperation, poor choices leading to escalating consequences, and flawed characters, offering a similar mood and style.

🛒 Nightfall Related Products

• David Goodis – Nightfall (Paperback): Dive into the gritty source novel by David Goodis, a master of hard-boiled fiction. Explore the story that inspired the film with its bleak outlook and desperate characters.
• Film Noir 10-Movie Collection (Blu-ray): A curated set featuring ten essential classic film noir titles, showcasing the genre’s iconic style, themes, and legendary stars.
• Nightfall (1957) Reproduction Lobby Card Set: A set of high-quality reproduction lobby cards featuring key scenes and promotional artwork from the film’s original release.
• Vintage Style Fedora Hat: Embrace the classic film noir aesthetic with a stylish felt fedora hat, a quintessential accessory for the genre’s heroes and villains.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Nightfall” – performed by Al Hibbler

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

🤨 FAQ

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