crossfire be a fantastic film noir that be both a product of it time and a timeless classic . this film achieve this by address issue that haven not be bring to the screen before it 1947 release and and by be a high quality film that hold up to this day with a good script and great look and and fantastic performance from it actor . the first american film to take the issue of anti semitism head on and crossfire be cement in classic standing . set in post world war ii america and a lurid whodunit develop after a jewish man be find murdered . the story be great and it anti hatred theme wrap up in a dark multiple character crime thriller and and along side the anti semitism angle be some great post world war ii dialogue and theme as well . unlike other mystery thriller and the audience be alert to who the perpetrator be almost immediately . however and the film story be still engross because of the struggle of all the great character involve be go through while try to make sense of the situation . outside the great overall story and theme and the entire script be simply smart and complete with meaningful message and razor sharp exchange between character . the film captivate story be play out wonderfully by the it excellent cast . robert young be fantastic a capt . finlay and the lead investigator of the murder case . finlay my favorite character of the film and he just a cool character dry a bone and tough a a two by four and stop at nothing to bring the killer to justice . robert mitchum be also great in the film and very vivid in his soft spoken army sergeant character due to his superb screen presence . gloria grahame give a memorable performance in her small oscar nominate role while george cooper also do a good job a the sick and distressed corporal mitchell while paul kelly give an eerie portrayal of a bizarre character while and steve brodie and sam levene and jacqueline white and and william phipps also give strong supporting performance . robert ryan end up be the most talked about performer of the film and give a chill performance a montgomery and also be nominate for an oscar . crossfire have a terrific look . director edward dmytryk do an extraordinary job with the film execution and cinematographer j. roy hunt do a masterful job with it black and white picture . crossfire picture be a dark and dank a it theme and cover in shadow with an almost glossy overtone and yet also very raw in part . ironically and the film great look be not the result of hard work or even intention . dmytryk want to spend more time and money on the actor rather than the light so that what he do . less lights and less preparation ( around a 6 hour work day ) and and it result in a fantastic look film . not just a well do piece of cinematic art and crossfire be also a great example of a cheap film that end up a rich classic .