This is classic film noir set in early 1950s New England featuring an escape story by a robber and two of his associates. It's based on a 1954 novel by Clinton Seeley.
Fred Blake (Dan Duryea), his wife, Elizabeth (Jean Wallace), and their 12-year-old son, David (David Stollery), live on a remote farm. They also have a hired man, Hank (Dennis Weaver). Fred is a failed writer and is chronically ill.
One night, Fred's younger brother, Charlie (Cornel Wilde), comes to their farm after a nearby bank robbery in which a policeman was killed, and a member of Charlie's gang was seriously wounded. With Charlie are a somewhat slow-witted sociopath, Benjie (Steven Hill) and a "gun moll" named Edna (Lee Grant). Charlie was wounded in the leg but hopes to leave the next day.
A snowstorm prevents a quick departure, and we see deteriorating relationships within the house. We also learn that Charlie and Elizabeth used to have a relationship. In fact, David might be Charlie's son. Hank is gone to town, but a brief return with mail alerts him to the presence of the gang. Fred sneaks out to leave help. Charlie persuades David to help them escape by a back route over the mountain before the snowplows get to their farm. The last third of the movie follows the flight and outcome of each of the characters.
As in much film noir, there are no winners and no heroes in this story. It's interesting to see early film dramatic roles for actors better known later for their TV work -- Dennis Weaver ("Gunsmoke" and "McCloud") and Steven Hill ("Mission Impossible" and "Law & Order")
"Storm Fear" was entertaining but by no means a classic. There were jumps in the storyline that were awkward, and some scenes were stilted.
Fred Blake (Dan Duryea), his wife, Elizabeth (Jean Wallace), and their 12-year-old son, David (David Stollery), live on a remote farm. They also have a hired man, Hank (Dennis Weaver). Fred is a failed writer and is chronically ill.
One night, Fred's younger brother, Charlie (Cornel Wilde), comes to their farm after a nearby bank robbery in which a policeman was killed, and a member of Charlie's gang was seriously wounded. With Charlie are a somewhat slow-witted sociopath, Benjie (Steven Hill) and a "gun moll" named Edna (Lee Grant). Charlie was wounded in the leg but hopes to leave the next day.
A snowstorm prevents a quick departure, and we see deteriorating relationships within the house. We also learn that Charlie and Elizabeth used to have a relationship. In fact, David might be Charlie's son. Hank is gone to town, but a brief return with mail alerts him to the presence of the gang. Fred sneaks out to leave help. Charlie persuades David to help them escape by a back route over the mountain before the snowplows get to their farm. The last third of the movie follows the flight and outcome of each of the characters.
As in much film noir, there are no winners and no heroes in this story. It's interesting to see early film dramatic roles for actors better known later for their TV work -- Dennis Weaver ("Gunsmoke" and "McCloud") and Steven Hill ("Mission Impossible" and "Law & Order")
"Storm Fear" was entertaining but by no means a classic. There were jumps in the storyline that were awkward, and some scenes were stilted.