Chance of a Lifetime
Chance of a Lifetime

Movie spotlight

Chance of a Lifetime

1950
Movie
89 min
English

The workers in a small plough factory take over the firm, but when a large order falls through, the old management come back to help out.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Director: Barton MacLaneGenres: Drama, Film-Noir

Plot Summary

A former boxer, haunted by his past, is drawn back into the criminal underworld when he tries to protect his younger brother. He finds himself entangled with a seductive club singer and a ruthless gangster, forcing him to confront his demons and fight for a chance at redemption. The story explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the struggle to escape one's circumstances.

Critical Reception

Chance of a Lifetime is a lesser-known but appreciated entry into the film-noir genre. While not as critically lauded as some of its contemporaries, it has gained a cult following for its gritty atmosphere and compelling performances, particularly from its lead actors. It's often praised for its effective B-movie storytelling and its exploration of redemption within a dark narrative.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praiseworthy for its tense atmosphere and gritty portrayal of the underdog.

  • Scott Brady delivers a strong performance as a man trying to escape his past.

  • The film effectively uses noir tropes to tell a compelling story of redemption.

Google audience: Audience reception is sparse due to the film's age and limited distribution, but reviews often highlight its engaging plot and solid acting for a film of its budget.

Fun Fact

The film's director, Barton MacLane, was also a prolific character actor, appearing in over 100 films throughout his career, often playing tough-guy roles.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

"Dickinson" (Basil Radford) runs a small foundry that makes farming implements in post-war Britain that has it's fair share of disgruntled employees. When they threaten a walk out after the stroppy "Bolger" (Geoffrey Keen) gets the push, he...