The Fearmakers

1958

Crime / Drama / Film-Noir / Thriller

3
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 33% · 2 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Spilled 33%
IMDb Rating 6.2/10 10 972 972

public relations firm

Plot summary

A Korean War veteran returns to Washington D.C. only to discover his business partner had died and their public-research business sold, so he works there undercover to find out the truth.

Director

Jacques Tourneur Photo
Jacques Tourneur

Top cast

Dennis Moore Photo
Dennis Moore as Army Doctor
Dana Andrews Photo
Dana Andrews as Alan Eaton
Mel Tormé Photo
Mel Tormé as Barney Bond
Lyle Latell Photo
Lyle Latell as Police Sergeant Dispatcher
720p.BluRay 1080p.BluRay
775.09 MB
1280*694
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
24 fps
1 hr 24 min
Seeds ...
1.41 GB
1920*1040
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
24 fps
1 hr 24 min
Seeds 1

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by PolkainWarsaw 7 / 10

Attn.: Political Science Majors !

I happened on this film by accident one afternoon and was quietly surprised. I am a fan of film noir and thought this film would be along those lines. And it was a bit in that fashion.( "The Killers" starring Burt Lancaster is one of my favorite examples of the film noir genre). But mostly this movie is centered on Washington D.C. in the late 1950's, and the beginnings of what today is considered lobbying. How the movie reflects our capitol today is almost eerie, with our poll takers and vested interests. Downright prophetic in its nature, I found the correlations between that era and today striking. Witness the beginnings of how you're votes are bought. Disturbing to say the least.I gave the film a "7" rating, because although the movie is worth a look,it is a bit "dated" and does have some "cheese" in the acting.
Reviewed by JohnSeal 6 / 10

We're through the looking glass here, people

In the late 1950s, The Fearmakers was a late entry in the Red Scare cycle. By the late 1960s it would have looked like a bizarre and ancient relic. Now in the 21st century, the film looks almost prophetic--if you can overlook the fact that it's basically a pro-nuclear war film. What gives the film resonance for a contemporary audience is its accurate portrayal of 'public relations', polling and advertising, and their ability to sway public opinion. In the 1950s this thesis no doubt took a back seat to the usual Commie-bashing, but now--in the era of push polls, straw polls, and exit polls-- it looks frighteningly accurate. Dana Andrews is excellent as usual. Sadly he is paired up with Marilee Earle as his love interest, and Ms. Earle gives a wooden performance of truly Redwoodian proportions. This was the last film of her brief career.
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