"Hunt The Man Down" boasts a unique plot that deserves attention, despite featuring a predominantly B-list cast. The story kicks off with an interesting twist when Dick Kincaid, a solitary dishwasher going by the alias Bill Jackson, becomes a local hero after killing a robber at the bar where he works.
However, Dick's newfound fame is short-lived, as he is also wanted for a murder that occurred 12 years earlier, having escaped custody before the trial. In a flashback, Dick recounts the unfortunate events to his public defender, Paul Bennett (Gig Young).
The flashback reveals that Dick's troubles began when he met three couples at a restaurant, who invited him to one of their apartments for drinks. While dancing with a woman named Joan Brian, things took a dark turn when her soon-to-be intoxicated husband, Dan, suddenly appeared. An altercation ensued, and in a fit of jealousy, Dan pulled out a gun. After a scuffle, Dick left, uttering an ill-advised remark about killing Dan.
Later, when Dan is found dead with the murder weapon bearing Dick's fingerprints, the District Attorney builds a strong circumstantial case against him. The success of the film hinges on the fascinating nature of the witnesses that Paul must track down to prove someone else committed the crime.
Paul enlists the help of his one-armed ex-cop father, Wallace, and their first lead is Burnell "Brick" Appleby. Brick proves to be a key figure in keeping the story engaging, as he unwittingly misleads Paul and his father by falsely claiming that one of the witnesses, his ex-girlfriend Pat Sheldon, is dead.
Toward the climax there's a great scene in which Brick brings Paul to a cemetery where he puts flowers on a stranger's grave believing it to be Pat's. Paul learns from Pat's father he made up a story that Pat was dead to spare the blind veteran the knowledge that his girlfriend had married another man.
As the plot unfolds, Paul tracks down other witnesses, including the alcoholic Kerry McGuire and his ex-wife, now known as Peggy Lynden, who works as a puppeteer's assistant. In a pivotal moment, Kerry attempts to blackmail Packy Collins over the phone. Tragically, Kerry is soon shot to death by two thugs while Paul's dad is driving on the highway. Wallace later reveals to Paul that these thugs were connected to Packy. In a courageous act of self-defense, Wallace returns fire on the highway, causing the thugs' car to crash and killing them.
In light of a subsequent attempt on Alice's life and the revelation that the two thugs were associates of Packy, Paul soon discovers that Pat had been dumped by Dan before he married Joan, and later had an affair with Kerry.
Kerry knew that Pat harbored intense anger towards Dan for leaving her, and he believed she was the one responsible for Dan's murder. However, it remains unclear why Kerry thought he could use Packy, a dangerous figure, to blackmail Pat. The motives behind Kerry's misguided decision are puzzling.
Paul eventually confronts Joan and another witness, Walter Long, who are now married and living in a lavish mansion. Unfortunately, these characters offer little assistance to Paul, lacking the depth and quirks of the other witnesses he encounters.
The final crucial witness is revealed to be Rolene Wood, who roomed with Pat on the night of the murder and is now mentally ill. During the climax, Paul brings Rolene into the courtroom while Pat is on the stand. Remarkably, Rolene's mere presence unnerves Pat, leading to a surprising confession of Dan's murder. It's puzzling to comprehend why Pat didn't choose to remain silent, forcing Dick to shoulder the blame. It seems implausible that she suddenly developed a pang of conscience. Moreover, considering Rolene's mental illness, one might question her value as a witness if she were to take the stand for Paul.
Gig Young delivers a solid, if somewhat perfunctory, performance as the determined public defender, supported by a competent B-list cast. Notably, Paul Frees offers an uncredited yet memorable portrayal of the gangster Packy Collins, while Lynne Roberts shines as Sally Clark, Dick's loyal co-worker.
Overall, despite the unconvincing climax, "Hunt The Man Down" delivers a fairly suspenseful noir experience, blending a compelling plot with unexpected twists, making it worth a watch for fans of the genre.
However, Dick's newfound fame is short-lived, as he is also wanted for a murder that occurred 12 years earlier, having escaped custody before the trial. In a flashback, Dick recounts the unfortunate events to his public defender, Paul Bennett (Gig Young).
The flashback reveals that Dick's troubles began when he met three couples at a restaurant, who invited him to one of their apartments for drinks. While dancing with a woman named Joan Brian, things took a dark turn when her soon-to-be intoxicated husband, Dan, suddenly appeared. An altercation ensued, and in a fit of jealousy, Dan pulled out a gun. After a scuffle, Dick left, uttering an ill-advised remark about killing Dan.
Later, when Dan is found dead with the murder weapon bearing Dick's fingerprints, the District Attorney builds a strong circumstantial case against him. The success of the film hinges on the fascinating nature of the witnesses that Paul must track down to prove someone else committed the crime.
Paul enlists the help of his one-armed ex-cop father, Wallace, and their first lead is Burnell "Brick" Appleby. Brick proves to be a key figure in keeping the story engaging, as he unwittingly misleads Paul and his father by falsely claiming that one of the witnesses, his ex-girlfriend Pat Sheldon, is dead.
Toward the climax there's a great scene in which Brick brings Paul to a cemetery where he puts flowers on a stranger's grave believing it to be Pat's. Paul learns from Pat's father he made up a story that Pat was dead to spare the blind veteran the knowledge that his girlfriend had married another man.
As the plot unfolds, Paul tracks down other witnesses, including the alcoholic Kerry McGuire and his ex-wife, now known as Peggy Lynden, who works as a puppeteer's assistant. In a pivotal moment, Kerry attempts to blackmail Packy Collins over the phone. Tragically, Kerry is soon shot to death by two thugs while Paul's dad is driving on the highway. Wallace later reveals to Paul that these thugs were connected to Packy. In a courageous act of self-defense, Wallace returns fire on the highway, causing the thugs' car to crash and killing them.
In light of a subsequent attempt on Alice's life and the revelation that the two thugs were associates of Packy, Paul soon discovers that Pat had been dumped by Dan before he married Joan, and later had an affair with Kerry.
Kerry knew that Pat harbored intense anger towards Dan for leaving her, and he believed she was the one responsible for Dan's murder. However, it remains unclear why Kerry thought he could use Packy, a dangerous figure, to blackmail Pat. The motives behind Kerry's misguided decision are puzzling.
Paul eventually confronts Joan and another witness, Walter Long, who are now married and living in a lavish mansion. Unfortunately, these characters offer little assistance to Paul, lacking the depth and quirks of the other witnesses he encounters.
The final crucial witness is revealed to be Rolene Wood, who roomed with Pat on the night of the murder and is now mentally ill. During the climax, Paul brings Rolene into the courtroom while Pat is on the stand. Remarkably, Rolene's mere presence unnerves Pat, leading to a surprising confession of Dan's murder. It's puzzling to comprehend why Pat didn't choose to remain silent, forcing Dick to shoulder the blame. It seems implausible that she suddenly developed a pang of conscience. Moreover, considering Rolene's mental illness, one might question her value as a witness if she were to take the stand for Paul.
Gig Young delivers a solid, if somewhat perfunctory, performance as the determined public defender, supported by a competent B-list cast. Notably, Paul Frees offers an uncredited yet memorable portrayal of the gangster Packy Collins, while Lynne Roberts shines as Sally Clark, Dick's loyal co-worker.
Overall, despite the unconvincing climax, "Hunt The Man Down" delivers a fairly suspenseful noir experience, blending a compelling plot with unexpected twists, making it worth a watch for fans of the genre.