The Long Night 1947
"COMING AT YOU ... in a blast of terrific drama!"
In 1947's *The Long Night*, Anatole Litvak crafts a gripping neo-noir thriller steeped in desperation and moral reckoning.
Director: Anatole Litvak
Cast
Henry Fonda
Joe Adams
Barbara Bel Geddes
Jo Ann
Vincent Price
Maximilian the Great
Ann Dvorak
Charlene
Howard Freeman
Sheriff Ned Meade
Moroni Olsen
Chief of Police Bob McManus
Elisha Cook Jr.
Frank Dunlap
Queenie Smith
Mrs. Tully
David Clarke
Bill Pulanski
Charles McGraw
Policeman Stevens
Frequently Asked Questions
What is *The Long Night* (1947) about?
*The Long Night* follows a man cornered by police after a violent crime, barricaded inside a building with no hope of escape. As the hours tick by, he confronts his past, his choices, and the inescapable consequences of his actions. The film explores themes of guilt, fate, and the fragile line between justice and vengeance.
Who directed *The Long Night*?
*The Long Night* was directed by Anatole Litvak, a master of atmospheric storytelling known for blending psychological depth with gripping suspense in his films.
Who stars in *The Long Night*?
The film stars Henry Fonda, Barbara Bel Geddes, Vincent Price, Ann Dvorak, and features supporting turns from Howard Freeman and Moroni Olsen.
Is *The Long Night* (1947) worth watching?
For fans of classic noir and crime dramas, *The Long Night* is a compelling pick. Though unrated on IMDb, its tight pacing, strong performances, and moody atmosphere make it a standout in the genre. The psychological depth and stylish direction ensure it lingers long after the credits roll.
How long is *The Long Night*?
*The Long Night* runs for 101 minutes, packing its tense narrative into under two hours of cinematic brilliance.
About The Long Night (1947) — A Crime Thriller Where a Man Faces His Last Stand
In 1947's *The Long Night*, Anatole Litvak crafts a gripping neo-noir thriller steeped in desperation and moral reckoning. As a city's police cordon tightens around a lone building, a suspected murderer faces a final standoff—one where surrender means defeat but defiance leads only to ruin. The atmosphere crackles with tension, a claustrophobic chess match between law and defiance, where every shadow hides a secret. Litvak's direction balances gritty realism with poetic melancholy, while Henry Fonda delivers a performance charged with quiet intensity. Love, betrayal, and the crushing weight of fate collide in this dark, dreamlike descent into the criminal underbelly of post-war America.
Barbara Bel Geddes shines as the fragile yet resilient heart of the story, her chemistry with Fonda adding a layer of tragic romance to the unfolding crime drama. Vincent Price's menacing presence and Ann Dvorak's fiery determination round out a cast that transforms a simple siege into a meditation on guilt and redemption. The film's moody cinematography and haunting score immerse viewers in a world where escape is impossible—and peace may come only at a terrible cost.
