'On Dangerous Ground' sounded right up my street. The story sounded incredibly gripping, and have always been a fan of films with a film noir atmosphere. Love some of director Nicholas Ray's other work, especially 'In a Lonely Place' and 'Rebel Without a Cause'. Robert Ryan was a great talent as an actor, especially in ruthless and villainous roles (i.e. 'Billy Budd', 'Crossfire', he is bone-chilling in both), and when he was in a particularly great role he was brilliant.
Found 'On Dangerous Ground' to be a very good film that could have been a great one if it was a little more consistent all the way through. It is a very good representation of Ray, it is a great representation for composer Bernard Hermann who pens one of his best non-Hitchcock scores and it is a great representation for Ryan in a role that fits him perfectly. Have seen better from Ida Lupino though, from personal opinion of course.
Positives are numerous and they outweighs the negatives by quite some way. Just loved the stylish and quite eerie way it was photographed which couldn't have been more perfect for the darkness of the story. The landscapes are just as striking and the photography is clearly in love with it without going into self-indulgence land. Hermann's score is remarkable, it has a very haunting atmosphere enhanced by the truly ominous orchestration. As said, to me it's among his best scores for a film that isn't from Hitchcock. The script, especially in the first half, is thought probing and taut as needed for a film of this type.
The first half of 'On Dangerous Ground' is absolutely brilliant, taut, full of grit and edge and nail-bitingly suspenseful. The subject matter is a dark, grim one and the first half matched that perfectly. Ray's direction is never less than assured and keeps the suspense going. Ward Bond is compelling in his role, but as far as the performances go the film belongs to Ryan, his intensity is absolutely riveting.
Didn't however find the second half quite as strong. It is still good certainly, nicely paced, exceptionally well made, scored, directed and acted and is absorbing. It just lacks the hard-boiled edge of the first half.
If the romance was more developed, it was interesting enough but slightly bland, and gelled within the story a little better it would have been even better. Lupino has charm and pathos but could have done with more steel, like the romance she doesn't quite fit within the rest of the film, but that is just personal taste.
All in all, very good. 8/10
