Fred Blake (Dan Duryea), his wife Elizabeth Blake (Jean Wallace), and their son David (David Stollery) live in the remote New England wilderness. Once every few days, they are visited by Hank (Dennis Weaver) who brings them supplies and mail. Out of the blue, Fred's younger brother Charlie Blake (Cornel Wilde) shows up with gun moll Edna Rogers (Lee Grant) and volatile henchman Benjie (Steven Hill). Charlie's been shot during a bank robbery. A snow storm descends upon them.
This is a solid crime noir B-movie. There could be more tension if Charlie isn't as nice. I get that he's manipulating Davey. He could be more disturbed or holding a large grudge against his brother. If anything, Fred is more disturbed than Charlie. It's interesting but it may work better if the brothers got switched. Fred seems much more unstable. I've seen a few of these actors, but for a Law & Order fan, the most familiar face is Steven Hill. He's not really the thuggish type. I have no big complaints, but I do want to raise the tension. I want a meaner Charlie.
This is a solid crime noir B-movie. There could be more tension if Charlie isn't as nice. I get that he's manipulating Davey. He could be more disturbed or holding a large grudge against his brother. If anything, Fred is more disturbed than Charlie. It's interesting but it may work better if the brothers got switched. Fred seems much more unstable. I've seen a few of these actors, but for a Law & Order fan, the most familiar face is Steven Hill. He's not really the thuggish type. I have no big complaints, but I do want to raise the tension. I want a meaner Charlie.