Out of the Past

Out of the Past (1947)

  • 96% of critics liked it
    (27 reviews)

  • 90% of users liked it
    (7,282 ratings)

Out of the Past is so perfect a film noir that it is considered practically a textbook example of the genre. In his first starring role (it had previously been offered to John Garfield and Dick Powell), Robert Mitchum plays Jeff Bailey, the friendly but secretive proprietor of a mountain-village gas… More

Unrated,
Directed By
Written By
Daniel Mainwaring, Geoffrey Homes
Genres
Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics
In Theaters
Jan 1, 1947 Wide
WARNER BROTHERS PICTURES

Critic Reviews

  • , Variety

    Direction by Jacques Tourneur pays close attention to mood development, achieving realistic flavor that is further emphasized by real life settings and topnotch lensing by Nicholas Musuraca.

  • Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

    The most delicate and nuanced of film noirs, graced with a reflective lyricism that almost lifts it out of the genre.

  • , Time Out

    All these B movie poets were under contract to RKO in the winter of 1946, and produced the best movie of everyone involved -- once seen, never forgotten.

  • Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

    One of the greatest of all film noirs.

  • Bosley Crowther, New York Times

    It's very snappy and quite intriguingly played by a cast that has been well and smartly directed by Jacques Tourneur.

Read all 18 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • xGary X


    A stranger uncovers the secret past of a small town gas station owner drawing him back into the shadowy world he was trying to forget. This was Robert Mitchum's first starring role and it's easy to see why it made him a star; he is superb as the ex-private eye who falls for… More

  • Ken S


    The director of Cat People strikes again with what may be a perfect noir.

  • Tsubaki S


    I really got lost with the plot around the middle, something about tax papers and what not. I guess i either didn't pay attention or i'm just stupid. So it will need a rewatch. Also, BITCHES AND WHORES!

  • Michael G


    Out of the Past has everything a film noir junkie could ask for. Dialogue you could open a letter with, darkly moody cinematography, a femme fatale that makes Ann Coulter look like a pre-school teacher and a world-weathered simp who knows he's headed straight for a screw-job.… More

  • AJ V


    A great movie, it stars both Robert Mitchum and Kirk Douglas, so how could it be bad? I loved it.

Read all 18 featured audience ratings

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Cast

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