The New Pictures, Jan. 31, 1949

Act of Violence (M-G-M), a realistic, tight-knit study in fear, hatred and revenge, is a well-made movie melodrama. Director Fred (The Search) Zinneman, who gets as much power out of his lens as if it were a fire-hose nozzle, deals this time with a deadly game of hide & seek. The fugitive is an ex-bomber pilot (Van Heflin) who once betrayed a group of fellow prisoners to curry favor and food in a Ger man prison camp. Stalking him with a maniacal single-mindedness is Bombardier Robert Ryan, the only survivor.

Director Zinneman first builds...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!