The Wrong Man
The Wrong Man

The Wrong Man

1956Movie105 minEnglish

In 1953, an innocent man named Christopher Emmanuel "Manny" Balestrero is arrested after being mistaken for an armed robber.

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IMDb7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes94%
Metacritic81/100
Google Users92%
Director: Alfred HitchcockGenres: Crime, Drama, Film-Noir

Plot Summary

A struggling jazz musician is arrested for a series of robberies due to mistaken identity. Despite his claims of innocence, the legal system and societal pressures begin to break him down. The film follows Manny Balestrero's harrowing journey through the justice system as he desperately tries to prove his innocence and return to his family.

Critical Reception

Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Wrong Man' was a departure from his typical suspense thrillers, offering a more somber and realistic portrayal of a man wrongly accused. Critically, it was praised for its powerful dramatic performances, particularly from Henry Fonda, and Hitchcock's unique directorial approach to a true-crime story. While not as commercially successful as some of his other films, it is now recognized as a masterclass in dramatic filmmaking and a significant work in Hitchcock's filmography.

What Reviewers Say

  • A deeply moving and tragic drama that showcases Hitchcock's versatility beyond pure suspense.
  • Henry Fonda delivers a powerful and sympathetic performance as the wrongly accused man.
  • The film's stark realism and focus on the psychological toll of false accusation are compelling.

Google audience: Audiences generally praise 'The Wrong Man' for its gripping and emotional story, highlighting Henry Fonda's outstanding performance and Hitchcock's masterful direction. Many viewers found the film to be a profound and sympathetic look at a man caught in a devastating miscarriage of justice.

Fun Fact

Alfred Hitchcock insisted on filming 'The Wrong Man' in black and white and on location in New York City to lend a sense of authenticity and realism to the drama, a significant departure from his more stylized productions.

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