FORCE OF EVIL

US, 1948,78 minutes. Black and white.
John Garfield, Thomas Gomez, Marie Windsor.
Directed by Abraham Polonsky.

Force of Evil is a crisp brief film of the 40s. It reflects the type of film that was very popular at the time not only for its plot but its implied social criticism. The film is of interest for its performance by John Garfield, a forceful actor of the 40s who appeared at this time in such films as Body and Soul and The Breaking Point. The film is also of interest because for its direction by Abraham Polonsky who was then blacklisted and while writing and co-writing screenplay did not direct another film until 1969 with Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here and in the early 70s Romance of a Horse thief. Quite a good example of its genre.

1. The significance of the title and the reference to evil, indications of themes?

2. The film as an example of the gangster genre? Its use of the conventions? Was it more than conventional?

3. The picture of America, the 'numbers rackets', political and financial corruption? What kind of a picture of America? Realistic or dramatized?

4. The film as an example of filmmaking of the 40s? Black and white photography, authentic locations, documentary overtones and style?


5. The background of the 'numbers' game, the explanations? The implications for gambling, the public, the racketeers, the taking over of the 'numbers' banks, murders and violence? The judgement of the film?

6. The character of Joe Morse? The fact of his narration, especially the ending? His explanation of himself as a lawyer, money, ambitions, advice? What motivated his involvement in the rackets?

7. The human side of Joe Morse? How credible? The sentiment? Sentimentality? His relationship with his brother? Love, reparation? The lengths he went to, even to blackmail and arrest? Joe's relationship with the girl? Attraction, love, reliance?

8. The character of Leo? How well explored? His good qualities, his force of evil? His work in the banks, small racketeering compared with big rackets? The girl and her work for him? His wife and her advice?

9. The picture of the ordinary people who work for the rackets? Their decision to make easy money? The consequences of being taken over by racketeers?

10. The authentic picture of racketeers? Tucker and his organization, the advice of Morse, the techniques? The 'rigging' of results? The use of violence? Outsiders wanting to break in and take over? Murder?

11. Bower and his informing? Being pressurized by the mobs? His greed for money? His betrayal, wanting to be killed, final betrayal of Leo? How pathetic a character, why?

12. The picture of the police, their knowledge of the racketeers, the nature of their raids and arrests, the trials?

13. What brought about the end of Joe's dreams? where did he make mistakes? Where did he not foresee consequences? The violence that he was led to? The impact on Leo and Leo's death? The girl?

14. How convincing was the finale with Joe's seeing Leo's body, going to the police?

15. What themes of good and evil were explored? Society and corruption? Gambling and ambitions? Violence?