Watch Dead Reckoning

Dead Reckoning, a 1947 film noir directed by John Cromwell, stars the legendary Humphrey Bogart in a thrilling and suspenseful mystery. The film centers around Bogart's character Captain Rip Murdock, a former army paratrooper, who is searching for his war buddy, Johnny Drake. When Johnny mysteriously disappears after the war, Murdock sets out to find him, only to discover that his friend's trail leads to an intricate web of deceit and danger.

As the film opens, Rip Murdock arrives in Washington D.C. where he meets up with his old war buddy Johnny's girlfriend, Coral “Dusty” Chandler played by Lizabeth Scott, who tells him that Johnny has disappeared. But things quickly take a dark turn as Chandler also goes missing soon after their meeting. Murdock begins to fear the worst as he realizes he's now on his own to solve the mystery of his friend's disappearance.

The trail leads Murdock to a luxurious hotel where he meets with Johnny's former employer, Chandler's father, Charles Chandler played by Morris Carnovsky. But Chandler is not much help and instead brings Murdock closer into the complex and treacherous web that Johnny had been caught in.

As Murdock goes deeper into the mystery, he realizes that he is never far from danger. He soon finds himself battling shadowy figures, dodging bullets, and fighting off the advances of the femme fatale force, Coral Chandler. Meanwhile, his contacts on the case are turning up dead and Murdock cannot trust anyone, not even the stunning Chandler, who appears to be both the heroine and the villain of the story.

Throughout the movie, Bogart delivers his signature steely performances, combining sharp dialogue with a detached and cynical attitude, that has come to define his work in the film noir genre. He brilliantly portrays the complexities of Murdock's character, at times being a hard-boiled hero who is determined to get to the bottom of his friend's disappearance, while at others, showing his vulnerability and the toll that the investigation is taking on him.

Lizabeth Scott, Bogart's leading lady in the film, is magnetic in her performance. She depicts Chandler's character with mysterious allure and seductive charm, often switching between vulnerability and menace. Morris Carnovsky, known for his stage work, is convincing as the senior Chandler, who is inextricably entangled in the intrigue of the story.

Dead Reckoning is a film noir classic, filled with archetypal characters and atmospheric landscapes. The movie is expertly crafted, with elements of mystery, romance, and suspense, all expertly woven together by director John Cromwell. The use of the chiaroscuro lighting technique, which creates stark contrasts between light and dark, adds to the film's atmospheric tension and adds to the story's intrigue.

The film's dialogue is sharp, employing the typically hard-edged world-weary language of the film noir genre. It highlights the film's theme of betrayal and deception, while also showcasing Bogart's range as a leading man who is simultaneously tough and poignant.

Overall, Dead Reckoning is a must-see for fans of the film noir genre, especially for those who are fans of Bogart's work. The movie brings all the classic elements of the genre to life, from the shadowy visuals to the sharp dialogue, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. It is a masterclass in the genre, and an enduring testament to the talent and legacy of Bogart, Scott and all those involved in its production.

Dead Reckoning is a 1947 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.