On Dangerous Ground is a short and rather simple film noir which is in two stages. The first half of the film is pure film noir material and features a hard boiled cop trying to clean the streets of filth; while the second half focuses more on characters and features the same detective trying to solve a murder case in a small town, and at the same time falling in love with a blind woman. The film is directed by Nicholas Ray and many consider this to be his best effort; though personally I'd say it's not as good as In a Lonely Place. The lead character is Jim Wilson; he's a city cop and is tired of all the scum he has to deal with on a daily basis. As a result, he has become tired and withdrawn - and has a tendency to beat confessions out of suspects. He's beaten up one too many and as a result he's sent out of town to investigate a murder in the countryside. A young girl has been killed and her father is baying for blood. The investigation leads the cop to a Mary Malden; a blind woman who is linked to the murderer.
On Dangerous Ground is very dark throughout. The whole film is set entirely at night and this plays well with the fact that the lead character himself is so dark and grizzled. The two parts of the film play in stark contrast to one another - as the dark city gives way to a snow covered setting later on. It is the characters that take centre stage, however, and the film is well lead by Robert Ryan, who provides an interesting central character. The film also stars Ida Lupino and the two have a good on screen chemistry that is believable. Despite the positives, it does have to be said that the film is rather lacking in action; and neither half of the film really provides much excitement. It's basically like two mini stories in one film and neither one is exactly brimming with substance. The second half of the film is more involving than the first, however, and it's clear that this is the part of the story that director Nicholas Ray was more interested in. Overall, On Dangerous Ground is an interesting slice of film noir that will surely appeal to fans of the genre; but it falls short of being a masterpiece for me.
On Dangerous Ground is very dark throughout. The whole film is set entirely at night and this plays well with the fact that the lead character himself is so dark and grizzled. The two parts of the film play in stark contrast to one another - as the dark city gives way to a snow covered setting later on. It is the characters that take centre stage, however, and the film is well lead by Robert Ryan, who provides an interesting central character. The film also stars Ida Lupino and the two have a good on screen chemistry that is believable. Despite the positives, it does have to be said that the film is rather lacking in action; and neither half of the film really provides much excitement. It's basically like two mini stories in one film and neither one is exactly brimming with substance. The second half of the film is more involving than the first, however, and it's clear that this is the part of the story that director Nicholas Ray was more interested in. Overall, On Dangerous Ground is an interesting slice of film noir that will surely appeal to fans of the genre; but it falls short of being a masterpiece for me.