The defence The Auteur Devotee
“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 FBI Story
Drama · Crime · 1959
A dedicated FBI agent recalls the agency's battles against the Klan, organized crime and Communist spies.
Movie details
The FBI Story
“You are crouched in a basement stairway opposite a theatre in Chicago. Keep your eyes on that FBI man across the street. He has set the trap for deadly public enemy, John Dillinger...”
1959 Drama · Crime 2h 29m
Critical arithmetic
One number, for now.
Scores change. Arguments endure.
TMDB
6.2 / 10
Community rating
A dedicated FBI agent recalls the agency's battles against the Klan, organized crime and Communist spies.
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 FBI Story?
For the defence
The Auteur Devotee
“You watch the director, not the movie.”
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.
Where it lives
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Names above the title
The people responsible.
Cast & crew
Directed by
Mervyn LeRoy
Written by
Richard L. Breen · John Twist
James Stewart
John Michael ('Chip') Hardesty
Vera Miles
Lucy Ann Hardesty
Murray Hamilton
Sam Crandall
Larry Pennell
George Crandall
Nick Adams
John Gilbert ('Jack') Graham
Diane Jergens
Jennie Hardesty
Jean Willes
Anna Sage
Court is in session
Put The FBI Story 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.