Reviews
John Chard

John Chard

August 18, 2019
8.0
Impact, when two things collide. San Francisco industrial supremo Walter Williams survives an attempt on his life by his two-timing wife's lover, whom ironically is badly burned and killed at the scene himself. As the police think that Williams is the badly burned corpse, his wife is arrested and accused of his murder, with Williams hiding out and plotting revenge in the sleepy back water town of Larkspur, Idaho. But even as Williams finds new hope and re-evaluation of his life, he knows he must go back and reveal all about what happened, which is something that may well prove to be his undoing! Impact is directed by Arthur Lubin and stars Brian Donlevy, Ella Raines, Charles Coburn and Helen Walker. The basic plot and story is certainly nothing new, and I will not list them, but other films such as "The Postman Always Rings Twice" spring to mind immediately upon finishing this smashing and enjoyable piece. However, what is definitely in pic's favour is that it's excellently acted (Donlevy and Raines a delight) and that it manages to bring about the main twist without any aura of inevitability hanging over it. Sitting nicely between film noir and drama, Impact is a film that possibly wouldn't stand up to repeat viewings, yet once viewed I personally feel that it leaves a mark that is most definitely favourable - and I'm not just biased because Ella Raines is stunningly gorgeous here!!! 8/10
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

July 9, 2022
6.0
This could have been much better had Arthur Lubin not cast the rather wooden, Clark Gable-light Brian Donlevy in the lead role as "Walt Williams", a successful businessman who falls prey to a cunning plot by his scheming wife "Irene" (Helen Walker) and her lover "Jim" (Tony Barrett) to bump him off. When the wrong man comes a cropper, "Walt" keeps his head down in a small Idaho town where he takes up with the local garage owner who needs a decent mechanic. Meantime, able detective "Quincy" (Charles Coburn) has put a strong case together against the wife and as she is about to be put on trial, the new girlfriend "Marsha" (Ella Raines) prevails on "Walt" to return to civilisation and into a maelstrom of legal proceedings. It's just a touch too convoluted, but the last fifteen minutes are quite gripping if a little far fetched. Worth a watch, though, if only for some very classy automobiles.

Recommendation Movies

6.5
Drama
View
6.5
To Die For
To Die For1995
7.5
Comedy
View
7.5
The Phantom of Liberty
The Phantom of Liberty1974
6.4
Drama
View
6.4
Phenomenon
Phenomenon1996
6.5
Documentary
View
6.5
Tabloid
Tabloid2010
5.9
Action
View
5.9
Arson, Inc.
Arson, Inc.1949
6.3
Comedy
View
6.3
Listen, Darling
Listen, Darling1938
6.8
Drama
View
6.8
Johnny Apollo
Johnny Apollo1940
5.3
Drama
View
5.3
Manina, the Lighthouse-Keeper's Daughter
Manina, the Lighthouse-Keeper's Daughter1952
6.5
Action
View
6.5
Air Force One
Air Force One1997
5.9
Comedy
View
5.9
Grande, grosso e Verdone
Grande, grosso e Verdone2008
7.1
Crime
View
7.1
Frenzy
Frenzy1972
6
Drama
View
6
Emmanuelle
Emmanuelle1974
7.9
Comedy
View
7.9
Paper Moon
Paper Moon1973
6.1
Romance
View
6.1
The Man Who Cried
The Man Who Cried2000
8.4
Drama
View
8.4
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest1975
7.4
Comedy
View
7.4
Being John Malkovich
Being John Malkovich1999
7.4
Comedy
View
7.4
Ecce Bombo
Ecce Bombo1978
7.8
Drama
View
7.8
Nostalgia
Nostalgia1983
6.4
Comedy
View
6.4
City Slickers
City Slickers1991
7
Comedy
View
7
Radio Days
Radio Days1987
© 2025 MoovieTime. All rights reserved.Made with Nuxt