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The Dark Past

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.

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?

The 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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The Reckless Moment

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Each Dawn I Die

Each Dawn I Die

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Time Without Pity

Time Without Pity

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M

M

Crime · 1951

Remake of the 1931 Fritz Lang original. In the city, someone is murdering children. The Police search is so intense, it is disturbing the 'normal' criminals, and the local hoods decide to help find the murderer as quickly as possible.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Rudolph Maté

Written by

Michael Blankfort · Albert Duffy · Philip MacDonald

William Holden

William Holden

Al Walker

Nina Foch

Nina Foch

Betty

Lee J. Cobb

Lee J. Cobb

Dr. Andrew Collins

Adele Jergens

Adele Jergens

Laura Stevens

S

Stephen Dunne

Owen Talbot

Lois Maxwell

Lois Maxwell

Ruth Collins

Berry Kroeger

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 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.

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.