XoWizIama Excellent adaptation.

TrueHello Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

PiraBit if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

Freeman This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

urthpainter And it delivered! Peter Falk as a contract mob killer plays his role to perfection, and is reason alone to watch this movie.First is the very surprising brutality on display. The violence doesn't need blood and gore to be both horrific and convincing. The direction of these scenes is also very brave. There isn't any stylization or glorification - just rapid action that surprises the viewer as much as the victims. Obviously all part of the performance, but you get my point.Rarely does a villain so clearly evil remain interesting throughout a film, but there is something to Falk's performance that is constantly fascinating. His look, the way he carries himself, and the constant self-serving, unapologetic dialog all come together to define a deeply disturbed criminal. He's also completely egotistical and self centered, and often questions those around him who don't acquiesce to his singular world view. It is an absolute clinic on how to successfully play an iconic villain, and it wouldn't surprise me if actors like Joe Pesci studied this movie in preparation for similar roles. There's an ease and comfort level to every moment he's on camera, and one wonders where the actor begins and the character ends.It is quite possible Peter didn't want to play characters like this moving on, but it is a shame. I always been a fan of his presence in anything, but watching this movie, I wonder what other dark roles he could have wowed audiences.What about the movie itself? It's not bad. There are very dated montage sequences with a voiceover that fill major gaps in the plot, and only one or two other performances come close to Falk's. There are some priceless exchanges of dialog between characters though - any time anyone stands up to Falk, and the inevitable explosive reactions are wildly entertaining. The movie is built on a historical facts, and this film represents an interesting era of killers for hire in the world of organized crime.I absolutely loved the look of this movie. The black and white film stock seems perfect for the content, and never was I upset with any camera placement or move - which speaks to great direction, and a camera man who understood the content and never gets in the way of performances or story.My appreciation exists between pretty narrow margins, but I can't stress enough: if your a fan of crime drama's, villainous performances or Peter Falk - this is an absolute must watch.completely satisfied 7 out of 10

unkadunk0801 I first saw this movie as part of a double bill (to be honest I forget the name of the other movie)and I had never heard of Peter Falk before but knew the other actors but every bodies attention was drawn to Falk s masterful performance as Abe ''Kid Twist''Reles was so scary that he totally dominated every scene he was in {.And to be honest in my opinion he should have won The Best Supporting Actor !It was a truly magnificent role that showed just how truly talented a performer he was And of course he showed how great he was in 'A Pocketful Of Miracles''''Robin & The Seven Hoods''The Great Race'' and of course as Lt.Columbo He was indeed a very talented and gifted actor/Thank you Peter Falk !

JohnHowardReid Film editor Ralph Rosenblum is obviously a disciple of Sergei Eisenstein. Certainly, Eisenstein's method of montage is very appropriately applied here – as is Gayne Rescher's bleak black-and-white CinemaScope photography. This documentary was actually based on the autobiography by Burton Turkus (played by Henry Morgan in the movie). Alas, the direction by Burt Balaban and Stuart Rosenberg is often over-reverential towards its original material. In fact, the movie is so weighed down with talk that the pace often slows to the speed of a snail. Fortunately, some persuasive acting is contributed by David J. Stewart and his glum henchman, Joseph Bernard. I also enjoyed Morey Amsterdam's bit. The film also supposedly "introduces" Sarah Vaughan who actually made her movie debut back in 1951 in "Disc Jockey". She sings a couple of songs. One actor we could do without, however, is Stuart Whitman whose performance is not only unconvincing but painfully tedious. May Britt's acting also disappoints, but at least she is easy on the eyes! As for Frank DeVol's music score this also is well below his usual high standard.

Michael O'Keefe Almost semi-documentary style tale of true crime mingled with fiction. A career starter for Peter Falk, who plays Abe Reles, killer for the mob. MURDER, INC spins a story about notable syndicate boss Louis "Lepke" Buchalter(David J. Stewart) and his murder-for-hire operations. Nightclub singer Joey Collins(Stuart Whitman)and his dancer girlfriend Eadie(May Britt)get tangled into Lepke's web. Dead serious federal agent Turkus(Henry Morgan) convinces the prolific and specific murderer Reles to squeal on Lepke and his mob of guns and knives for hire. Morey Amsterdam plays a not-so-funny funny man that is a victim of Murder, Inc. Jazz great Sarah Vaughan has a brief part as a nightclub singer. Also in the cast: Eli Mintz, Joseph Bernard and Vincent Gardenia.