Forbidden Passage
Forbidden Passage

Movie spotlight

Forbidden Passage

1941
Movie
21 min
English

This MGM Crime Does Not Pay series short looks at the U.S. Department of Immigration's efforts to halt the smuggling of illegal aliens into the country. Desperate immigrants, tired of waiting for legal entry, pay exorbitant fees and risk a grisly death to enter by illegal means.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Director: Edgar G. UlmerGenres: Crime, Drama, Film-Noir

Plot Summary

A young district attorney is appointed to investigate corruption within the New York City police department. As he delves deeper, he uncovers a vast conspiracy involving high-ranking officials and a dangerous crime syndicate. He must navigate treacherous alliances and personal sacrifices to expose the truth and bring the culprits to justice.

Critical Reception

Forbidden Passage, while not a major box office success, has been recognized by film historians as a notable entry in the early film noir canon. It is often praised for its atmospheric direction and tense storytelling, despite its modest budget.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its gritty atmosphere and noir sensibilities.

  • Acknowledged for Edgar G. Ulmer's efficient direction on a limited budget.

  • Seen as a solid, if somewhat lesser-known, crime drama of its era.

Google audience: Information not available for this title.

Fun Fact

Director Edgar G. Ulmer was known for his ability to create visually striking films with limited resources, a skill he demonstrated effectively in 'Forbidden Passage'.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

This is maybe one of the more harrowing of these “Crime Does Not Pay” short features as it rather graphically displays both the desperation and frustration of those trying to get into the USA and the ruthlessness of the people smugglers who...