No Way Out
Is it a question... or an answer?
When a young doctor operates on two brothers bought in for gunshot wounds, it sets off a chain of violent confrontations between a vicious psychopath, his gang, and the black community.
Member Reviews
An Early Civil Rights Statement - MovieProf
Although considered a film noir, Joseph L. Mankiewicz' "No Way Out" seems to have a much more complex political agenda behind it. Starring Sidney Poitier, Richard Widmark, and Linda Darnell, the film is groundbreaking in its uncompromising look at rasicm is America. The film was Poitier's first acting role, and although he is the protagonist of the story, he is billed fourth in the credits (due either to the more exstablished stars receiving top billing before him to attract moviegoers, or on account of racist tendencies, or both).
Poitier is Dr. Luther Brooks, an intern who treats injured prisoners. When hardened criminals Johnny and Ray Biddle (Dick Paxton and Richard Widmark) are brought in for treatment, Brooks treats them, though Johnny inadvertently expires during his procedure. Ray is intent on proving Luther is a murderer, and is willing to incite racial violence to prove it.
Strong acting performances, particularly by Widmark, give "No Way Out" a no-holds-barred feel with regards to racism. Well worth the time.Could be a lot better - rnhaas
There is something to this, but mostly it's pretty contrived. There are good parts here and there, but a lot of the situations feel set up just so the plot can move forward (for example, the head of surgery acts so much like a cop as he interrogates the female lead that we start believing he is a cop, all to introduce her into the plot). It's nice to see a heroic female role so long ago, it really is. This film which supposedly condemns racism lists its black star fourth (!) in the billing...
Member Reviews
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An Early Civil Rights Statement - MovieProf
Although considered a film noir, Joseph L. Mankiewicz' "No Way Out" seems to have a much more complex political agenda behind it. Starring Sidney Poitier, Richard Widmark, and Linda Darnell, the film is groundbreaking in its uncompromising look at rasicm ...Could be a lot better - rnhaas
There is something to this, but mostly it's pretty contrived. There are good parts here and there, but a lot of the situations feel set up just so the plot can move forward (for example, the head of surgery acts so much like a cop as he interrogates the female ...