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Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, Kirk Douglas, Rhonda Fleming, Richard Webb ... see more see more... , Steve Brodie , Virginia Huston , Paul Valentine , Dickie Moore , Ken Niles , Brooks Benedict , Oliver Blake , Mildred Boyd , Michael Branden , James Bush , Adda Gleason , Theresa Harris , Harry Hayden , John Kellogg , Philip Morris , Victor Romito , Tony Roux , Scott Wallace , Archie Twitchell , Frank Wilcox , Mary Field , Ted Collins , Michael Lally , Manuel Paris , Charles Regan , Eumenio Blanco , Wesley Bly , Lee Elson , Caleb Peterson , Jose Portugal , Homer Dickenson , Bill Wallace

Out of the Past is so perfect a film noir that it is considered practically a textbook example of the genre. In his first starring role (it had previously been offered to John Garfield and Dick Powell... read more read more...), Robert Mitchum plays Jeff Bailey, the friendly but secretive proprietor of a mountain-village gas station. As Jeff's worshipful deaf-mute attendant (Dick Moore) looks on in curious fascination, an unsavory character named Joe (Paul Valentine) pulls up to the station, obviously looking for the owner. Jeff is all too aware of Joe's identity; he's been dreading this moment for quite some time, knowing full well that it will mean the end of his semi-idyllic existence, not to mention his engagement to local girl Ann (Virginia Huston). In a lengthy flashback, the audience is apprised of the reasons behind Jeff's discomfort - and thus begins a tale of treachery, betrayal and intrigue that extends into the present day and turns Jeff's life upside down. Out of the Past was remade in 1984 as Against All Odds, with Jane Greer cast as the mother of her original character. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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90% liked it

7,048 ratings

Critics

96% liked it

27 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 37 min.

Directed by: Jacques Tourneur

Release Date: January 1, 1947

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DVD Release Date: July 6, 2004

Stats: 617 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (617)

  • kenstachnik
    August 27, 2011
    kenstachnik
    The director of Cat People strikes again with what may be a perfect noir.
  • garyX
    August 13, 2011
    garyX
    A stranger uncovers the secret past of a small town gas station owner drawing him back into the shadowy world he was trying to forget. Robert Mitchum's first starring role, and it's easy to see why it made him a star; he is superb as the ex private eye who falls for the charms of... read more one of the quintessential femme fatales in the shape of Jane Greer. Kirk Douglas also gives brilliant support as the great manipulator looking for revenge and the web of deceit he weaves makes for an intriguing plot that's complex without being overly convoluted. The icing on the cake is the artistic eye of Jacques Tourneur who makes the film one of the most visually attractive crime dramas ever made. Years ahead of its time, Out Of The Past is one of THE greats of Film Noir.
  • DragonEyeMorrison
    August 3, 2011
    DragonEyeMorrison
    I really got lost with the plot around the middle, something about tax papers and what not. I guess i either didn't pay attention or i'm just stupid. So it will need a rewatch. Also, BITCHES AND WHORES!
  • mjgildea
    March 22, 2011
    mjgildea
    Out of the Past has everything a film noir junkie could ask for. Dialogue you could open a letter with, darkly moody cinematography, a femme fatale that makes Ann Coulter look like a pre-school teacher and a world-weathered simp who knows he's headed straight for a screw-job. Rob... read moreert Mitchum is perfect and Jane Greer plays her role to a tee. Great supporting performances from Kirk Douglas and Rhonda Fleming as well. Jacques Tourneur's direction definitely has leftovers from his Val Lewton days (definitely not a criticism) and goes toe to toe with any other element of the movie. Out of the Past is also one of the best examples of film noir even if its not one of the best known.
  • ajv2688
    October 24, 2010
    ajv2688
    A great movie, it stars both Robert Mitchum and Kirk Douglas, so how could it be bad? I loved it.
  • flixsterman
    July 22, 2010
    flixsterman
    A film noir masterpiece, rich in genre staples and atmosphere.
  • smith44
    May 18, 2010
    smith44
    One of the best film noir films of all, a dark complex tale of a man's past catching up with him. There is so much to this movie. Absolutely Classic. JEFF BAILEY (Robert Mitchum): "You know, maybe I was wrong and luck is like love. You have to go all the way to find it." KATHIE M... read moreOFFAT (Jane Greer): "I think we deserve a break." JEFF BAILEY (Robert Mitchum): "We deserve each other."
  • ythelastman89
    January 6, 2010
    ythelastman89
    It's everything that film noir should be, one of my favorites. I think it is a five star movie aside from the poor narration, which always seems to be an issue with movies like this. I'm just not a fan of being beaten to death with what is going on inside a character's head. Howe... read morever, this is a great movie altogether. The acting is great, Kirk Douglas' debut as a scumbag gambler/gangster is flawless and Robert Mitchum is perfect for the character he played.
  • rubystevens
    June 12, 2009
    rubystevens
    the quintessential noir, a style that's had a huge influence on everyone from scorsese and tarantino to the coen brothers and david lynch, not to mention french new wave. robert mitchum gives his most perfect lethargic and world-weary performance
  • pier007
    May 2, 2009
    pier007
    Mesmerizing build up of romance and tension by the snappy and captivating pen of Daniel Mainwaring (as Geoffrey Homes) and Jacques Tourneur's keen eye. They draw a vigorous and pulsating tale of a man with a tormented past that encloses emotional and business related attachments,... read more murder and betrayal.
    Robert Mitchum is the man who passively awaits for a dreadful fate, not without scrutinizing and sabotaging the people who damaged him first.

View All Out of the Past Reviews

Critic Reviews

April 18, 2007
Variety

Direction by Jacques Tourneur pays close attention to mood development, achieving realistic flavor that is further emphasized by real life settings and topnotch lensing by Nicholas Musuraca. Full Review

Dave Kehr
April 18, 2007
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

The most delicate and nuanced of film noirs, graced with a reflective lyricism that almost lifts it out of the genre. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 20, 2006
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

One of the greatest of all film noirs. Full Review

Bosley Crowther
May 20, 2003
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

It's very snappy and quite intriguingly played by a cast that has been well and smartly directed by Jacques Tourneur. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
January 1, 2000
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Cinematic perfection, a Hollywood classic that's as great and as enjoyable as its reputation has promised. Full Review

Cole Smithey
February 11, 2012
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

One of the best-loved '40s era contributions to the film noir genre, Director Jacques Tourneur's "Out of the Past" (1947) is a definitive model. Full Review

Wesley Lovell
August 16, 2011
Wesley Lovell, Oscar Guy

Few films noir were better than this. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
July 9, 2011
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Jacques Tourneuer's most accomplished film and a great sampler of film noir, sort of a textbook both visually and thematically. Full Review

Gabe Leibowitz
May 2, 2010
Gabe Leibowitz, Film and Felt

Out of the Past should be considered a prototypical example of how to do noir the right way--shadowy corners, double crossings aplenty, a luscious femme fatale, and, of course, murders. Full Review

Robert Roten
September 19, 2008
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope

What makes "Out of the Past" stand out among the film noir classics is that it has better actors, a better screenplay and it doesn't look like it was made on the cheap. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Jeff Bailey: Baby I don't care .
    • Kathie Moffett: I think we deserve a break.
    • Jeff Bailey: We deserve each other.
    • Jeff Bailey: You know, maybe I was wrong and luck is like love. You have to go all the way to find it.
    • Jeff Bailey: You know, maybe I was wrong and luck is like love. You have to go all the way to find it.
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Out of the Past Trivia

  • He plays a fireman who connects with his son 30 years into the future. The son grew up without his father, but because of their eerie communications, the past has now been changed and they must figure out how to right the wrongs that they caused.  Answer »
  • In "Lord of the Rings the Return of The King" you are shown more about Gollumn's past. You also find out the name of his friend who he killed so that he could have the ring, what was his friend's name?  Answer »
  • In this movie, a brother and an adopted sister both fall in love, a dog gets run over by Owen Wilson, A married woman is found to have made out with a series of guys in the past, and a long lost father fakes stomach cancer to re-meet his children and wife.  Answer »
  • A 60's family afraid of nuclear war stays underground for thirty years. At the end of this thirty years, they send their son out to see the fate of the world.  Answer »
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