The Sniper (1952)
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83% of critics liked it
(6 reviews) -
68% of users liked it
(308 ratings)
The "regeneration" of blacklisted director Edward Dmytryk was expedited when he was hired by producer Stanley Kramer to helm the location-filmed melodrama The Sniper. In the interests of political expediency, Dmytrk was required to direct Adolphe Menjou, one of the most virulent Red-baiters of the… More The "regeneration" of blacklisted director Edward Dmytryk was expedited when he was hired by producer Stanley Kramer to helm the location-filmed melodrama The Sniper. In the interests of political expediency, Dmytrk was required to direct Adolphe Menjou, one of the most virulent Red-baiters of the HUAC hearings. Shorn of his trademarked mustache, and with his famous expensive wardrobe replaced by a humdrum business suit, Menjou turns in one of his best performances as a world-weary San Francisco detective assigned to track down a mad sniper. From the beginning, the audience knows that the criminal is psycho Eddie Miller (Arthur Franz), who is possessed of the notion that he must kill every beautiful brunette woman who crosses his path. Some audience sympathy is elicited by Miller's pathetic attempts to rid himself of his obsession, but this never gets in the way of the film's suspense. The excellent supporting cast includes Richard Kiley as a police psychiatrist, Marie Windsor as Miller's first victim, and Mabel Paige as the sniper's snoopy landlady. An unbilled Wally Cox shows up briefly. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- Unrated, 1 hr. 27 min.
- Directed By
- Edward Dmytryk
- Genres
- Drama, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense
- In Theaters
- May 9, 1952 Wide
- On DVD
- Nov 3, 2009
Critic Reviews
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Sean Axmaker, Seanax.com
... straddles the studio model of storytelling and the immediacy of low-budget location shooting...
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Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
It's absolutely terrified that its messages will pass by unnoticed.
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Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Trazendo uma importante mensagem acerca da responsabilidade do Estado ao lidar com criminosos mentalmente instáveis, o filme conta com uma direção impecável de Dmytryk e uma atuação amargurada e intensa de Franz.
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Derek Adams, Time Out
Good use of the streets of San Francisco, and you can see the film's influence on Peter Bogdanovich's rather artsier 1967 offering Targets.
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, Film4
A little dated now, especially the nervous documentary-style camerawork which soon outstays its welcome, The Sniper's thriller mechanics nevertheless work efficiently.
Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Cast
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Adolphe Menjouas Lieutenant Kafka -
Arthur Franzas Eddie Miller -
Gerald Mohras Sgt. Ferris
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Marie Windsoras Jean Darr -
Frank Faylenas Inspector Anderson -
Richard Kileyas Dr. James G. Kent
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