Overview
A desperate man fights for freedom and love amidst a web of betrayal.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- shadowy
- tense
- fatalistic
- classic noir night
- crime movie marathon
What critics said
Critics and noir specialists broadly recognize the film’s brisk, intricate crime storytelling and exceptionally rich cinematography, despite some contemporary criticism of its sensational plotting and melodrama.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film is repeatedly distinguished for exceptionally rich, expressionistic noir cinematography, with darkness shaping the prison escape and manhunt.
Joe is torn between the tough, street-wise Pat and the prim, morally demanding Ann while attempting to evade capture.
Rick arranges Joe’s escape knowing the attempt is designed to end in Joe’s recapture or death.
The 79-minute film rapidly moves from prison escape through revenge, pursuit, and competing loyalties.
Films like Raw Deal, and why
The Killers
shared film noir atmosphere, morally compromised criminals, betrayal, and fatalistic pursuit
Out of the Past
shared stylized noir cinematography, criminal betrayal, doomed romance, and revenge-driven momentum
Brute Force
shared prison escape premise, crime melodrama, claustrophobic danger, and morally conflicted protagonist
Detour
shared compact noir structure, doomed criminality, romantic conflict, and shadow-heavy visual design
Movie Details
- Director
- Anthony Mann
- Release Date
- 1948-05-21
- Runtime
- 79 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (114)
Cast
- Dennis O'Keefe
- Claire Trevor
- Marsha Hunt
- John Ireland
- Raymond Burr
- Curt Conway
- Chili Williams
- Richard Fraser
- Whit Bissell
- Cliff Clark
Common questions
- What is Raw Deal about?
- A desperate convict escapes a rigged prison break and races through a shadowy criminal underworld while betrayal, revenge, and divided loyalties close in.
- What is Raw Deal like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Raw Deal as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Raw Deal violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Raw Deal as moderate.
- What did critics think of Raw Deal?
- Critics and noir specialists broadly recognize the film’s brisk, intricate crime storytelling and exceptionally rich cinematography, despite some contemporary criticism of its sensational plotting and melodrama.
- Which films are like Raw Deal?
- Films with a similar feel include The Killers, Out of the Past, Brute Force, and Detour.
- How long is Raw Deal?
- Raw Deal runs 79 minutes.
