This 1950 movie is a powerful drama which confronts the issue of racial hatred in a way which is far more direct and challenging than was typical for its time. It's provocative, forthright and didactic and infers that the root of racism is ignorance and that education is the solution. Some of the racist language used is deeply offensive and unacceptable in contemporary society, however, its presence here is relevant and strengthens the impact of the story and the film's "message".
When two wounded criminals who were each shot in the leg during an attempted robbery are brought into the prison ward of a county hospital, they're attended to by Dr Luther Brooks (Sidney Poitier). Ray Biddle (Richard Widmark) immediately directs a barrage of racial insults at the black doctor who begins to get increasingly concerned about the condition of the seriously disorientated Johnny Biddle (Dick Paxton). He quickly forms the opinion that Johnny has a brain tumour and administers a spinal tap. Johnny dies very soon after and brother Ray accuses the doctor of murder.
The inexperienced doctor is anxious to confirm that his diagnosis was correct and speaks to the chief medical resident Dr Dan Wharton (Stephen McNally) about getting an autopsy carried out. Wharton explains that this would only be possible with the consent of Johnny's family. Ray is unwilling to give his approval and the head of the hospital is also unable to support the idea because he's anxious to avoid any adverse publicity which might follow.
Edie Johnson (Linda Darnell), Johnny's ex-wife (who'd previously had a fling with Ray) is then approached by Wharton and Luther who persuade her to visit Ray to discuss an autopsy. Ray isn't willing to cooperate and tells her that she can atone for being unfaithful to Johnny by informing Rocky Miller (Bert Freed) about the circumstances of Johnny's death. Miller is a resident of Beaver Canal which is the city's white slum neighbourhood where Ray, Johnny and Edie all grew up and he becomes instrumental in a sequence of events which culminate in a major race riot.
Luther eventually forces an autopsy to be carried out by going to the police and claiming that he was responsible for killing Johnny. The autopsy confirms that the diagnosis and the treatment given were both correct. This outcome doesn't end Luther's problems, however, as Ray reacts by accusing the doctors of a cover up and then sets up a plan to kill Luther.
Richard Widmark gives a towering performance and conveys with incredible power, the sheer intensity of Ray's hatred. His fanatical rants and irrational outbursts of abuse are delivered with such force and conviction that there's absolutely no doubt about the depth of his character's despicable and malicious nature. Sidney Poitier is also impressive in his screen debut as a man who lacks confidence but also remains remarkably patient, tolerant and dignified in the face of the welter of appalling insults which are so consistently directed at him. Linda Darnell is also good as the conflicted and confused Edie who's naively used by Ray to trigger the race riot.
Whilst things have moved on a great deal since "No Way Out" was made, it still packs a punch as a potent and hard hitting snapshot of people's attitudes and the social tensions which they created in the early 1950s.
When two wounded criminals who were each shot in the leg during an attempted robbery are brought into the prison ward of a county hospital, they're attended to by Dr Luther Brooks (Sidney Poitier). Ray Biddle (Richard Widmark) immediately directs a barrage of racial insults at the black doctor who begins to get increasingly concerned about the condition of the seriously disorientated Johnny Biddle (Dick Paxton). He quickly forms the opinion that Johnny has a brain tumour and administers a spinal tap. Johnny dies very soon after and brother Ray accuses the doctor of murder.
The inexperienced doctor is anxious to confirm that his diagnosis was correct and speaks to the chief medical resident Dr Dan Wharton (Stephen McNally) about getting an autopsy carried out. Wharton explains that this would only be possible with the consent of Johnny's family. Ray is unwilling to give his approval and the head of the hospital is also unable to support the idea because he's anxious to avoid any adverse publicity which might follow.
Edie Johnson (Linda Darnell), Johnny's ex-wife (who'd previously had a fling with Ray) is then approached by Wharton and Luther who persuade her to visit Ray to discuss an autopsy. Ray isn't willing to cooperate and tells her that she can atone for being unfaithful to Johnny by informing Rocky Miller (Bert Freed) about the circumstances of Johnny's death. Miller is a resident of Beaver Canal which is the city's white slum neighbourhood where Ray, Johnny and Edie all grew up and he becomes instrumental in a sequence of events which culminate in a major race riot.
Luther eventually forces an autopsy to be carried out by going to the police and claiming that he was responsible for killing Johnny. The autopsy confirms that the diagnosis and the treatment given were both correct. This outcome doesn't end Luther's problems, however, as Ray reacts by accusing the doctors of a cover up and then sets up a plan to kill Luther.
Richard Widmark gives a towering performance and conveys with incredible power, the sheer intensity of Ray's hatred. His fanatical rants and irrational outbursts of abuse are delivered with such force and conviction that there's absolutely no doubt about the depth of his character's despicable and malicious nature. Sidney Poitier is also impressive in his screen debut as a man who lacks confidence but also remains remarkably patient, tolerant and dignified in the face of the welter of appalling insults which are so consistently directed at him. Linda Darnell is also good as the conflicted and confused Edie who's naively used by Ray to trigger the race riot.
Whilst things have moved on a great deal since "No Way Out" was made, it still packs a punch as a potent and hard hitting snapshot of people's attitudes and the social tensions which they created in the early 1950s.