Raw Deal (1948/VCI)

 

Picture: B-     Sound: C+     Extras: C+     Film: A-

 

 

Raw Deal is the real deal when it comes to a stylish and gritty Film Noir.  This was the follow up film for director Anthony Mann to T-Men, reviewed on this site, and would team him up again with the amazing cinematographer John Alton and also actor Dennis O’Keefe.  There is no doubt that these B-grade Noir’s are essential viewing for serious film fanatics.

 

O’Keefe plays Joe Sullivan who is trying to get out of prison as he has taken the heat for a man who owes him lots of money.  An escape is set up for Joe with the intent that he will get killed in the process and therefore the man can walk away from his debt, but luck falls on Joe as he meets a legal worker who falls for him.  Once he is out though, are we really to believe that he is as innocent as he seems and as to what repercussions are about to take place? 

 

While the film is shot in striking black and white the ideas of good and evil presented here are purely in the gray area.  We are only as includes as the characters involved as to where the good ends and the bad begins and the lines of decency become blurred in true fashion.  The film does have its flaws and after all these years do show some age, but otherwise an enjoyable picture that is a must-see at some point along with T-Men. 

 

The 1.33 X 1 black and white image for VCI’s DVD looks quite good for its age and considering you can pick this disc up dirt-cheap there is little room to complain.  Even the Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono is adequate enough with only some minor amounts of hiss and excessive noise, along with a transfer that has some minor debris and softness.  The extras include the second part to Max Allan Collin’s video essay found on T-Men and some trailers for other film noirs.

 

 

-   Nate Goss