One of the most distinctive works of the noir era, Abraham Polonsky’s directorial debut is an exposé of the New York numbers racket and a riveting tale of a fallen man’s attempt to reclaim his soul (John Garfield, in one of his best roles). Unfortunately for Polonsky, the House Committee on Un-American Activities also felt the film was a thinly veiled attack on the nation’s capitalist system, suggesting parallels between the operations of businessmen and gangsters. Polonsky was blacklisted, unable to put his name on any work he produced over the next twenty years. Force of Evil is innovative and superlative in every respect; its stylized art direction complementing vivid New York location footage. With an evocative score by David Raksin and memorable performances by Thomas Gomez, Beatrice Pearson, Marie Windsor, and Roy Roberts.

Restored by the UCLA Film & Television Archive and The Film Foundation with funding provided by The Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation.