Odd Man Out (1947)

Director:

Carol Reed

Writers:

F.L. Green (novel) and
F.L. Green (screenplay)

Release Date:

23 April 1947 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Romance | Thriller

Plot:

A wounded Irish nationalist leader attempts to evade police following a failed robbery. Action takes place in Belfast, Ireland

Plot Keywords:

Belfast | Irish | Search | Robbery | Ireland

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

James Mason	...	Johnny McQueen
Robert Newton	...	Lukey
Cyril Cusack	...	Pat
Kathleen Ryan	...	Kathleen Sullivan
F.J. McCormick	...	Shell
William Hartnell	...	Fencie,the barman
Fay Compton	...	Rosie
Denis O'Dea	...	Inspector
W.G. Fay	...	Father Tom
Maureen Delaney	...	Theresa O'Brien
Elwyn Brook-Jones	...	Tober
Robert Beatty	...	Dennis
Dan O'Herlihy	...	Nolan
Kitty Kirwan	...	Grannie
Beryl Measor	...	Maudie

Also Known As:

Gang War

Runtime:

116 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Australia:PG | Iceland:12 | West Germany:16 | Finland:K-16 | UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG (video rating) (1986)

Filming Locations:

Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK

Company:

Two Cities Films

Trivia:

James Mason called this his best performance of his career, and his favourite Carol Reed film.

Quotes:

Lukey: [about painting a portrait of the wounded Johnny McQueen] There's something to be said about him before he dies.
Tober: And about all of us.
Lukey: I understand what I see in him.
Tober: What is it?
Lukey: It's the truth about us all.
Tober: Is that all?
Lukey: He's doomed.
Tober: So are we all.

Movie Connections:

Version of The Lost Man (1969)

Well played, super movie.

James Mason gives the performance of a lifetime as a dying IRA-man.

There's little I can say to add to others' description of the movie except for a few historical notes:

The city _is_ Belfast. It was shot on the streets - according to my Grandfather most outside scenes had huge audiences. The Bar which McQueen ends up in is the Crown Bar, on Great Victoria Street. The exterior of the actual bar is seen although a replica of the inside is seen. This is an architecturally beautiful bar and well worth a visit!

Mason wins the viewers' pity for a dying rebel. Remember, this is the 'old' IRA and not the latter-day thugs we are familiar with. From the outset you feel sympathy for the man and this increases as you are taken through the last hours of his life.

It is hard to get on video, though BBC2 (UK) usually shows it round Christmas. Set your video!