Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)

In 7 words or less: Man on mission to find the truth

What's it all About? Spencer Tracy's mysterious stranger, Macreedy, has business in the desolate town of Black Rock. Unfortunately, the locals are an unfriendly lot who seem to be covering up some dark deed from times past.



Best bits? The scene at the petrol pump where Macreedy verbally spares with bad guy Smith is a pre-Tarantino script sensation. When Macreedy finally submits to the taunts of a local hoodlum we get a fantastic confrontation that sparkles and amazes in equal measure and elicits a booming YES! from the viewer. Well it did in me anyway.

You talkin' to me boy?

Did it make you think thoughts? The film sizzles with a cracking script and great characters. The bad guys are bad, the locals all have their faults and the stranger is mysterious. The film tackles the hot topic of racism in a period set following WWII and the fact that the hero doesn't flinch in the face of adversity mirrors the film's message of standing up for what is right.

Would you watch it again? Yes. Spencer Tracy is often overshadowed by the likes of Gable, Stewart, Cagney, Peck, Bogart and Grant among others. This is an injustice as he is a gem of an actor and deserving of a place among the greats.

Rating (out of 100%): Great performances across the board and a solid plot/story/script means I give Bad Day at Black Rock 83%