The defence The Big-Idea Head
“Form is the argument.”
Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.
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The Dark Past
Crime · Thriller · Drama · 1948
A gang hold a family hostage in their own home. The leader of the escaped cons is bothered by a recurring dream that the doctor of the house may be able to analyze.
Movie details
The Dark Past
“SENSATIONAL SUSPENSE DRAMA!”
1948 Crime · Thriller · Drama 1h 14m
Critical arithmetic
One number, for now.
Scores change. Arguments endure.
TMDB
6.0 / 10
Community rating
A gang hold a family hostage in their own home. The leader of the escaped cons is bothered by a recurring dream that the doctor of the house may be able to analyze.
CriticWise case file
What this film says about your taste.
Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.
The archetype split
Who fights over The Dark Past?
For the defence
The Big-Idea Head
“You watch with your brain, not your gut.”
Read their case For the prosecution
The Popcorn Loyalist
“Big screen, big feelings, no apologies.”
Read their objectionThe split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.
Taste neighbourhood
Nearby on the taste map.
TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.
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A woman fights to convince the police that she witnessed a murder while looking out her bedroom window.
The Locket
Drama · 1946
A dark personal secret drives a young woman to use every man she encounters.
Whirlpool
Thriller · 1950
The wife of a psychoanalyst falls prey to a devious quack hypnotist when he discovers she is an habitual shoplifter. Then one of his previous patients now being treated by the real doctor is found murdered, with her still at the scene, and suspicion points only one way.
They Made Me a Fugitive
Drama · 1947
After being framed for a policeman's murder, a criminal escapes prison and sets out for revenge.
The Reckless Moment
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After discovering the dead body of her teenage daughter's lover, a housewife takes desperate measures to protect her family from scandal.
Each Dawn I Die
Crime · 1939
A corrupt D.A. with governatorial ambitions is annoyed by an investigative reporter's criticism of his criminal activities and decides to frame the reporter for manslaughter in order to silence him.
Time Without Pity
Crime · 1957
Alec Graham is sentenced to death for the murder of his girlfriend Jennie, with whom he spent a weekend at the English country home of the parents of his friend Brian Stanford. Alec’s father, David Graham, a not-so-successful writer and alcoholic who has neglected his son in the past, flies in from Canada to visit his son on death row. David then goes on a quest to try and clear his son’s name while battling “the bottle.”
The Truth About Emanuel
Drama · 2013
A troubled young woman becomes obsessed with her mysterious new neighbor, who bears a striking resemblance to the girl's dead mother.
Sleep, My Love
Thriller · 1948
A woman wakes up in the middle of the night on board a train, but she can't remember how she got there. Danger and suspense ensue.
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Names above the title
The people responsible.
Cast & crew
Directed by
Rudolph Maté
Written by
Michael Blankfort · Albert Duffy · Philip MacDonald
William Holden
Al Walker
Nina Foch
Betty
Lee J. Cobb
Dr. Andrew Collins
Adele Jergens
Laura Stevens
Stephen Dunne
Owen Talbot
Lois Maxwell
Ruth Collins
Berry Kroeger
Mike
Court is in session
Put The Dark Past on trial.
Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.
The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist
“Technique in search of a pulse.”
Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.