edward dmytryk crossfire be a rare film come from the hollywood of the 1940s . this be groundbreaking territory for mr. dmytryk and the studio because of what the director and his adapter and john paxton and decide to do with the novel and in which the film be base . if you haven not see the film and please stop reading now . richard brook novel be about the killing of a gay soldier . in the movie and the subject matter be turn around to prejudice against jew and a theme that be taboo during that time in the american cinema . it to mr. dmytryk credit to have have the courage to get involve with this film project and at all . the movie be an outstanding piece of film making because the way the director present it . obviously influence by the film noir style and we be take to the washington of the post war . the opening scene about the brutal murder of samuel show such unusual cruelty be inflict to a decent man and who we do not know yet and or why have be kill and but who do not deserve to die in such horrible fashion . the basis of the murder be prejudice and pure and simple . we realize how in the mind of an ignorant man and the mere fact of be successful and different and play in the mind of the assassin . samuels stand a the sacrificial lamb and the same way the gay soldier be the victim in the novel . the parallel be well draw . this film make compel view because of the brilliant star turn of robert ryan and a montgomery . mr. ryan be an actor that always play interesting role and but never so well a in crossfire . also and there be a great appearance by gloria grahame and a ginny and the prostitute with her heart in the right place . the rest of the cast play a an ensemble . robert young and a the police detective in charge of the investigation play be a decent man who have know prejudice first hand in his own family and speaks loudly against it . robert mitchum play a cool sgt . keeley who be deeply touch by the crime when one of his men be accuse of commit it . sam levene be excellent in his small role of samuel . this be a film to watch because of it probably the first to speak out loud against ignorance .