An Act of Murder

1948
Approved
1h 31m

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

914

YOUR RATING

Geraldine Brooks and Fredric March in An Act of Murder (1948)

Film Noir Crime Drama

A hard-line judge is tempted toward mercy-killing by his wife's terminal cancer.A hard-line judge is tempted toward mercy-killing by his wife's terminal cancer.A hard-line judge is tempted toward mercy-killing by his wife's terminal cancer.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

914

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 nomination

Trivia
This movie marks the first use of "Courthouse Square", the iconic set/location seen in "Back to the Future" and countless other movies and TV shows. The courthouse facade was built for this movie.

Goofs
Neither the city nor county where the courthouse is said to be located and the majority of the movie take place, are actual places in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Quotes
Doctor Walter Morrison: What is incurable today is curable next Wednesday.

Connections
Featured in Movies Are Adventure (1948)

User reviews21

Review

Featured review

8/10

A Taut and Well Acted Film About Mercy KillingUnheard of in 1948

Fascinating Film that Daringly Approaches the Subject of Euthanasia. In Doing so it also has Liberal Elements Inserted about the Rigid Judicial System that has a Tendency Toward Antiquated ("Powdered Wigs") by the Book Procedures.

Edmond O'Brien is the Lawyer that Questions a Hard-Boiled Judge, while Dating His Daughter. The Judge Played by Fredric March goes through a Tumultuous Time Dealing with His Wife's Terminal Illness. But the Acting Accolades must go to Florence Eldridge who Gives a Riveting Performance.

This Thoughtful Piece of Social Commentary is Rich and Rewarding with Taut and Suspenseful Scenes that can at Times be Heartbreaking. This is an Odd Movie to be Sure, and is Well Worth a Watch for its Genuine Concern about Troubling Things that are Rarely Discussed (especially in 1948), but Linger on the Fringe of Everyday Life.