No Way Out (1950) (Blu-ray & DVD) (UK Import)

A pivotal early film in the wave of racially progressive dramas of the 1950s and 60s, Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s No Way Out is an electrifying film-noir about a doctor whose ethics are put to the test when he comes into conflict with a racist criminal.

Dr. Luther Brooks (Sidney Poitier; The Defiant Ones) is assigned to treat two prisoners, the Biddle brothers, who were shot during an attempted robbery. Ray Biddle (Richard Widmark; Kiss of Death, Twilight’s Last Gleaming) refuses to be treated by the black doctor, and when his brother John dies under Luther’s care, Ray becomes consumed with vengeance. His anger and hatred ignites racial tensions within the community, and events quickly spiral out of control.

Released during the early days of the civil rights movement, No Way Out received critical acclaim but faced censorship for many years due to its incendiary nature. It has since been recognised as one of Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s greatest filmmaking achievements.

Specials

1080p presentation of the film on Blu-ray, with a progressive encode on the DVD

LPCM mono soundtrack (Uncompressed on the Blu-ray)

Optional English subtitles

Audio Commentary by film noir historian Eddie Muller

ALL ABOUT MANKIEWICZ [103 minutes] - A massive two-part interview with the legendary director, featuring Michael Ciment and directed by Luc Béraud

Archival Fox Movietone Newsreels

Original theatrical trailer

A collector's booklet featuring a new essay by Glenn Kenny

Rezensionen

Lexikon des Int.​Films: "Ein fanatisierter weißer Amerikaner schürt Rassenhass und Gewalt, indem er nach dem Tod seines Bruders dessen schwarzen Arzt des Mordes bezichtigt.​ Formal stark auf äußere Spannung getrimmt, aber trotz manch reißerischer Effekte eine packende Veranschaulichung von (selbst-)zerstörerischer Gewalt und blindem Rassenhass.​"