Odd Man Out

Odd Man Out

(Carol Reed, 1947)

Rating: 4.5/5

Reviewed by Dave Lancaster

Summary: Carol Reed's gritty crime drama 'Odd Man Out' never looked so good. Relive one of James Mason's finest roles on this pin-sharp Blu-ray special edition.

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Bookended by two shots of a clock tower (one in warm daylight, the other during a bitter night blizzard), Carol Reed's 'Odd Man Out' is a film that is obsessed with characters whose time is running out. It tracks with bitterness and some technical flair their journey towards a winter of discontent.

We follow James Mason's Irish bank robber Johnny McQueen. Wounded and left for dead by his fellow criminals after a robbery goes awry, McQueen stalks the dark Belfast streets. Maybe the bullet lodged in his shoulder is making him delirious; maybe the guilt - either way, a change is brewing in this shattered antihero.

The plot is minimalist but the atmosphere that 'The Third Man' director Carol Reed creates is incredible. This is the famous film with all the faces talking in the bubbles of a spilt pint. Even at his most restrained, the visuals are incredible right up to its breathtaking finale.

James Mason fans will relish this release and not just because it's been restored so well. Such a wonderful talent during the 40s and 50s in particular, this is one of Mason's finest roles. The Blu-ray contains a choppy interview with him and something that's pure gold - the documentary he made about his home town of Huddersfield. It's called 'Home James' and runs for around 50 minutes and it's utterly fascinating.

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