Performance & Direction: The Desperate Man Review
Last updated: January 26, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Desperate Man (1959) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Desperate Man features a noteworthy lineup led by Conrad Phillips . Supported by the likes of Jill Ireland and William Hartnell , 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 The Desperate Man (1959) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.0/10, it stands as a decent one-time watch.
Story & Plot Summary: The Desperate Man
Quick Plot Summary: The Desperate Man is a Crime, Drama film that dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Desperate Man
Ending Breakdown: The Desperate Man attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to crime resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, 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 The Desperate Man reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The Desperate Man Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The Desperate Man incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, drama 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: The Desperate Man adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The Desperate Man?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Crime films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: The Desperate Man
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The Desperate Man Parents Guide & Age Rating
1959 AdvisoryWondering about The Desperate Man age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Desperate Man is 57 minutes (57m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.0/10, and global performance metrics, The Desperate Man is classified as a AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1959 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Desperate Man worth watching?
The Desperate Man is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 5/10 and stands as a AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Desperate Man parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Desperate Man identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Desperate Man?
The total duration of The Desperate Man is 57 minutes, which is approximately 0h 57m long.
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This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
