Directed by Delmer Daves, written by Delmer Daves (screenplay), David Goodis (novel)
A convict escapes from prison and is aided by a woman who’d followed the events of his trial, believing him innocent. A manhunt ensues, but the convict (Humphrey Bogart) visits a plastic surgeon for facial reconstruction and slowly falls for the woman who rescued him (Lauren Bacall).
The beginning of the film is shot almost entirely in first person perspective, making it look like the greatest video game you’ve ever played. It’s got a body count but isn’t quite as dark as other, hopeless noir films. Still, Dark Passage is an excellent representative of the genre.
4 stars
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