a skillfully direct film by martin ritt where a drifter and anti hero and john cassevetes land in n. y. to escape a tragic incident in his life and where he kill his brother in an automobile accident as well a go awol from the army . cassavetes and always an intense actor and show grit in his portrayal of a film . be surprised that montgomery clift do not get this part . ruth white be his mother and do remarkably well in two scene on the telephone . once in new york and he befriend sidney poitier a the two work on the dock . immediately and jack warden and a bully and villain in this film and take a dislike to him and tragedy ensues when poitier try to defend his friend . ruby dee and play poitier wife in this film and and be brilliant in a scene where she urge cassavetes to reveal the killer of her husband . this be definitely an interesting film of moral value and the loner in society . with the backdrop of tenement and the right mood be depict in the film .