Is High Wall Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, High Wall is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies.
It features a runtime of 99 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
High Wall Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1947, High Wall emerges as a significant entry in the Crime, Drama, Thriller domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Steven Kenet, suffering from a recurring brain injury, appears to have strangled his wife. Unlike standard genre fare, High Wall attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and High Wall features a noteworthy lineup led by Robert Taylor . Supported by the likes of Audrey Totter and Herbert Marshall , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of High Wall (1947) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.3/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
High Wall Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: High Wall is a Crime, Drama, Thriller film that delves into the criminal underworld with gritty realism and moral complexity. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
High Wall Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: High Wall concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to crime resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the crime themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of High Wall reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
High Wall Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
High Wall incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, drama, thriller film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: High Wall adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch High Wall?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
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Full Cast & Crew of High Wall
- Robert Taylor – Steven Kenet
- Audrey Totter – Dr. Ann Lorrison
- Herbert Marshall – Willard I. Whitcombe
- Dorothy Patrick – Helen Kenet
- H.B. Warner – Mr. Slocum
Top Highlights
Robert TaylorSteven Kenet
Audrey TotterDr. Ann Lorrison
Herbert MarshallWillard I. Whitcombe
Dorothy PatrickHelen Kenet
H.B. WarnerMr. Slocum
Warner Andersonr. George Poward
Moroni OlsenDr. Philip Dunlap
John RidgelyAssistant District Attorney David Wallace (as John Ridgeley)
Morris AnkrumDr. Stanley Griffin
Elisabeth RisdonMrs. Kenet
Where to Watch High Wall Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
fuboTVParents Guide & Age Rating
High Wall is rated NR. Parents should be aware that it contains mature themes, violence.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.3/10, and global collection metrics, High Wall stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1947 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is High Wall movie hit or flop?
High Wall has received mixed reviews with a 6.3/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is High Wall worth watching?
High Wall is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Crime, Drama, Thriller movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch High Wall online?
High Wall is currently available for streaming on fuboTV. You can also check for it on platforms like fuboTV depending on your region.
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How High Wall Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for High Wall
Murders and Medicinal Mania. High Wall is directed by Curtis Bernhardt and adapted to screenplay by Sydney Boehm and Lester Cole from the play by Alan R. Clark and Bradbury Foote. It stars Robert Taylor, Audrey Totter, Herbert Marshall, Dorothy Patrick and H.B. Warner. Music is by Bronislau Kaper and cinematography by Paul Vogel. Suffering from a brain injury sustained during the war, Steven Kenet (Taylor) is further rocked by the realisation that he may have strangled his wife during one of his blackout episodes. Committed to a county asylum, Steven responds to treatment by Dr. Ann Lorrison (Totter) and comes to believe he just might be innocent of his wife’s murder. But can he convince the authorities? Can he in fact get out of the asylum to find proof? By 1947 film noir had firmly encompassed the plot strand involving returning veterans from the war. Plot would find them struggling to readjust into society, they would be battle scarred, emotionally torn or suffering some form of injury, such as a popular favourite of film makers of the time, the amnesia sufferer. High Wall is one of the better pictures from the original film noir cycle to deal with this premise. Where except for a daft method used to bring the story to its conclusion, it’s a well thought out and intelligent picture. The pairing of Taylor and Totter is one of the film’s strengths, they are helped no end by having parts that requires them to veer away from roles that they were accustomed to. Bernhardt and Vogel dress the picture up superbly, the camera glides eerily around the asylum, throwing impressive shadows across the drama, and the camera technique used for Kenet’s flashback sequences proves mood magnificent. Out of the asylum the visuals still remain beautiful whilst still exuding a bleakness befitting the unfolding story, with rain drenched streets the order of the night. While Kaper drifts a suitably haunting musical score across proceedings. It’s unhurried and cares about attention to details, and even though some of the ethics involved in story are dubious, this is a smart entry in the psychological film noir canon. 7.5/10
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This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
