Rent Crossfire (1947)

Has everything suddenly gone crazy? - Crossfire review by Steve

Pessimistic social realism about a bigoted soldier who kills a Jewish civilian. A detective (Robert Young) investigates a group of demobbed soldiers, including an intimidating loudmouth redneck Sergeant (Robert Ryan), and the more reflective, gentle Sergeant (Robert Mitchum).  

Edward Dmytryk films the long drunken night expressionistically with out of focus,  tilted frames and camera shake. He evokes a powerful impression of alcohol induced hysteria and disorientation. Most of the film is set in interiors and the director's constantly searching camera induces a feeling of restlessness.

 If the trauma of the war is a recurring theme of film noir, it is usually approached subtly and obliquely. Here the issue is confronted directly, particularly in a long, sympathetic speech by the civilian who will be murdered. The soldiers are home, but they are still fighting, looking for a new enemy to hate.

The Sergeant warns us: 'The snakes are loose. Anybody can get them. I get 'em myself, but they're friends of mine.'  Taylor delivers a long, persuasive monologue about intolerance. In its initial years, film noir was usually about the unravelling of a tragic flaw. Now some directors were starting to look up, and out towards the world.