Act of Violence/Mystery Street

Two of the great Hollywood directors, Fred Zinnemann (High Noon, From Here To Eternity) and John Sturges (The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape) earlier cinema offerings are here on one DVD.The first one "ACT OF VIOLENCE" made in 1948 directed by Fred Zinnemann starts with Robert Ryan arriving at an apartment building and taking out a gun from a drawer, loading it with bullets and then leaving. We know he is out to gun someone down. Elsewhere, we see couple Van Heflin and Janet Leigh living an idyllic life with their child. We find out during the movie that Heflin is the one Ryan is gunning for. The reason is because once before these two were friends and were prisoners of war. It seems that Heflin is not all he appears to be and that his wife has no idea what he did in the past. Ryan on the other hand is not all bad and believes it was Heflin that betrayed him and his colleagues during a planned escape from a German prisoner of war camp with all of them being killed except for Heflin and Ryan who now seeks vengeance.A taut suspenseful film noir with bonus material which includes audio commentary by film historian Dr Drew Casper, a featurette on the movie as well as the trailer."Mystery Street" made in 1950 directed by John Sturges stars Ricardo Montalban as a cop who is trying to solve the murder of a young woman played by Jan Sterling. Marshall Thompson (Daktari) plays the man who is accused of her murder after he meets her in a bar after he finds out that his wife has had a miscarriage.Ricardo Montalban was known for playing latin lovers in Hollywood musicals. So this was a change of pace for him and he gives a convincing performance. He is best known for his later work on TV as Mr Rourke on the banal series "Fantasy Island" ( the new reboot recently is even worse than the original and makes the original look like a masterpiece) and for playing the character Khan on TV's Star Trek episode "Space Seed" made in 1967 and the 1982 big screen movie "Star Trek: The Wrath Of Khan".Once asked how he would sum up being an actor he replied "the first a studio says is "who is Ricardo Montalban?" After that the studio says "Get me Ricardo Montalban". Then later they say "Get me a younger Ricardo Montalban" And lastly, they say "Who is Ricardo Montalban?"Bonus material include audio commentary by film historians Alain Silver and Elizabeth Ward, a feaurette on the movie as well as the trailer.A fast paced thriller.

How good can American post-war cine noir be? Here's your answer. West Point Professor Elizabeth Samet praised this movie I'd never heard of in her superb book 'Looking for the Good War'. It captures the complexity of the men who returned from WWII and of their reception. Mary Astor has an amazing bit. Robert Ryan is unforgettable. And, Van Heflin..., truly a great performance. A movie I'll savour again.

Act of Violence is a really good noir film. Robert Ryan is very intimidating as an ex-veteran out for revenge.Mystery Street is the weaker of the two films. Fans of CSI should like it. The pairing is worth it because of Act Of Violence.

I really did enjoy both of these films, so much more entertaining than their modern “counterparts.” Just a story that isn’t trying to force itself on you, and doesn’t make any demands of you, so you can actually enjoy it.

Two excellent Movies in this package. "Act of Violence" was a stunner, edge of seat through out. Robert Ryan was terrific as usual, and Van Heflin was out standing in a difficult role. "Mystery "Street" was terrific also and I was surprised at the Advancement of Forensics in those early years. The noir aspect of the films, and the fantastic prints of both Movies were a Bonus. Thoroughly enjoyed them both ,could not choose a favourite.Package arrived safely, service great. Thank yoi Amaxon from Coral Australia.

Mystery Street was more enjoyable than the other one. But both are good. Great acting from all of the actors. They both come in fine and sound is fine.

Nothing to dislike, and used the film to reassociate my self with two well done films I have not seen for years. Thank TCM.

4 stars because I cannot access the second story, Mystery Street. Of course my 30 days are over so I cannot return it. But, I do not want to retun it. So if any of you know how to retrive it please let me know. Thanks.