{"id":38506,"date":"2017-03-14T12:40:44","date_gmt":"2017-03-14T19:40:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=38506"},"modified":"2023-03-10T20:38:30","modified_gmt":"2023-03-11T03:38:30","slug":"reign-of-terror-1949","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=38506","title":{"rendered":"Reign of Terror (1949)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;No one goes to bed in Paris &#8212; it isn&#8217;t safe to go to bed!&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Poster-195x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"195\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-38509\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Poster-195x300.jpg 195w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Poster-83x128.jpg 83w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Poster.jpg 520w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 195px) 100vw, 195px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA French patriot (Robert Cummings) kills and impersonates a notorious prosecutor (Charles Gordon) summoned by bloodthirsty Maximilian Robespierre (Richard Basehart), who informs Cummings that his &#8220;black book&#8221; of traitors-to-be-executed has been lost. With the help of his former lover (Arlene Dahl), Cummings attempts to locate the vitally important book &#8212; but will his true identity be revealed?\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Anthony Mann Films<\/li>\n<li>Beulah Bondi Films<\/li>\n<li>French Revolution<\/li>\n<li>Historical Drama<\/li>\n<li>Mistaken or Hidden Identities<\/li>\n<li>Richard Basehart Films<\/li>\n<li>Robert Cummings Films<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nAnthony Mann and DP John Alton collaborated on three low-budget films &#8212; <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=3334\"><em>T-Men<\/em> (1947)<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=38390\"><em>Raw Deal<\/em> (1948)<\/a>, and this title &#8212; before Mann embarked on the bigger-budget films he&#8217;s best known for, including Peary-listed titles such as <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=39997\"><em>Winchester &#8217;73<\/em> (1950)<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=74363\"><em>The Tall Target<\/em> (1951)<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=39981\"><em>Bend of the River<\/em> (1952)<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=39970\"><em>The Naked Spur<\/em> (1953)<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=41406\"><em>The Glenn Miller Story<\/em> (1954)<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=40049\"><em>The Man From Laramie<\/em> (1955)<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=40022\"><em>The Far Country<\/em> (1954)<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=72247\"><em>The Tin Star<\/em> (1957)<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=84673\"><em>El Cid<\/em> (1961)<\/a>, and more. This &#8220;cloak and dagger&#8221; historical adventure &#8212; taking place during France&#8217;s post-revolutionary <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Reign_of_Terror\">Reign of Terror<\/a> &#8212; is a highly atmospheric affair, with every frame and set maximized to craft a claustrophobic sense of perpetual danger and betrayal. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Sets.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Sets.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-38517\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Sets.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Sets-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Sets-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, the screenplay (co-written by Philip Yordan) is mostly uninspired, with plenty of lines such as the following: &#8220;It&#8217;s either Madelon or the book &#8212; you can&#8217;t have both!&#8221; However, the details of the fast-moving script don&#8217;t matter as much as the excitement generated, and it&#8217;s easy enough to follow who the ultimate &#8220;bad guy&#8221; and &#8220;good guy&#8221; are. With that said, <em>Reign of Terror<\/em> is only must-see for fans of this type of flick, and\/or Mann completists. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Highly atmospheric cinematography (by John Alton)<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Cinematography1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Cinematography1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-38511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Cinematography1.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Cinematography1-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Cinematography1-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Cinematography2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Cinematography2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-38512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Cinematography2.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Cinematography2-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Cinematography2-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Cinematography3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Cinematography3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-38513\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Cinematography3.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Cinematography3-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Cinematography3-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Cinematography4.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Cinematography4.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-38514\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Cinematography4.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Cinematography4-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Cinematography4-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Cinematography5.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Cinematography5.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-38515\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Cinematography5.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Cinematography5-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Cinematography5-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fine period sets and art design<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Sets2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Sets2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-38518\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Sets2.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Sets2-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Sets2-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Sets-2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Sets-2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-38516\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Sets-2.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Sets-2-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Reign-of-Terror-Sets-2-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, though it&#8217;s certainly worth a one-time look for its visuals alone. Available as a public domain title on <a href=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/details\/Reign_of_Terror_movie\">Archive.org<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0041796\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1949\/10\/17\/archives\/melodrama-of-french-revolution.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thespinningimage.co.uk\/cultfilms\/displaycultfilm.asp?reviewid=3264&#038;aff=13\">Spinning Image Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timeout.com\/london\/film\/reign-of-terror\">Time Out Capsule Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;No one goes to bed in Paris &#8212; it isn&#8217;t safe to go to bed!&#8221; Synopsis: A French patriot (Robert Cummings) kills and impersonates a notorious prosecutor (Charles Gordon) summoned by bloodthirsty Maximilian Robespierre (Richard Basehart), who informs Cummings that his &#8220;black book&#8221; of traitors-to-be-executed has been lost. With the help of his former lover (Arlene Dahl), Cummings attempts to locate the vitally important book &#8212; but will his true identity be revealed? Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Anthony Mann&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=38506\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38506","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38506","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=38506"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38506\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":90306,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38506\/revisions\/90306"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=38506"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=38506"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=38506"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}