Performance & Direction: The Spider and the Fly Review
Last updated: February 2, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Spider and the Fly (1949) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.8/10. 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 Spider and the Fly features a noteworthy lineup led by Eric Portman . Supported by the likes of Guy Rolfe and Nadia Gray , 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?
Story & Plot Summary: The Spider and the Fly
Quick Plot Summary: The Spider and the Fly is a Crime, Thriller 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 Spider and the Fly
Ending Breakdown: The Spider and the Fly 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 The Spider and the Fly reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The Spider and the Fly Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The Spider and the Fly incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, 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: The Spider and the Fly adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The Spider and the Fly?
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
Top Cast: The Spider and the Fly
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The Spider and the Fly Parents Guide & Age Rating
1949 AdvisoryWondering about The Spider and the Fly age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Spider and the Fly is 94 minutes (1h 34m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.8/10, and global performance metrics, The Spider and the Fly is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1949 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Spider and the Fly worth watching?
The Spider and the Fly is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 6.8/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Spider and the Fly parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Spider and the Fly identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Spider and the Fly?
The total duration of The Spider and the Fly is 94 minutes, which is approximately 1h 34m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Spider and the Fly
Were it not for the the totally wooden efforts of the very tall Guy Rolfe ("Lodocq") this could have been a really good little crime drama. As it is, though, it's still a good story with two distinct parts - the first sees police chief "Maubert" (Eric Portman) trying to apprehend a successful safe-cracker, the second sees him team up with his erstwhile nemesis to work together to thwart the Bosch in France during the early stages of the Great War. Good sharp writing, tensely directed with enjoyable contributions from Nadia Gray ("Madeleine"), Edward Chapman as the no nonsense Interior Minister and a young George Cole as Portman's sergeant sidekick "Marc". It is a little more than just a routine crime caper; it tries to demonstrate that all things being equal even a criminal and a policeman can work together when the fate of their nation is in jeopardy. Robert Hamer manages to keep a sense of fun and jeopardy prevailing for much of this characterful film. A shame Rolfe's talent couldn’t raise to the same heights as his head - but still, a good watch this.
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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.
