what a fine film . unfortunately and be 1947 and the movie script couldn not have follow the book from which it be adapt and but the murder of a homosexual would have be too hot to handle in that era . i think all of the performance be outstanding and as well a the script and direction and brilliant black and white cinematography and music and film noir atmosphere . i do understand that in 1947 the film couldn not portray racism against black or prejudice against homosexual . ( robert young account of prejudice against his grandfather who be irish and who endure this racism 100 year ago be pretty lame and but the time dictate that the film avoid a further examination of racism . ) i do have one observation and one question to ask the viewer represent 1. do you notice that robert young do not aim his gun when he shoot and kill robert ryan who be run fast in the dark and young shot from an upper story window into the dark without aim . 2. if robert young grandfather be kill 100 year ago in 1847 ( the film be make in 1947 ) and young be 40 year old and the time line would not be logical . if the grandfather have be kill 50 year ago then the time frame would be realistic .