Watch The Midnight Man

The Midnight Man is a 1974 crime thriller directed by Roland Kibbee and starring Burt Lancaster, Susan Clark, and Cameron Mitchell. The film follows an ex-con named Jim Slade, played by Lancaster, who returns to his hometown in the hopes of starting a new life. However, he quickly gets drawn back into a life of crime when he becomes involved in a blackmail scheme.

Slade is first introduced as he is released from prison and heads back home to a small town in the Midwest. He is welcomed back by his childhood friend, a lawyer named Linda Thorpe, played by Clark. Thorpe is excited to see Slade, but she is also wary of their past together. As the two reconnect and reminisce, Slade reveals that he is interested in finding work and settling down in the town.

Unfortunately for Slade, he is quickly sucked into a blackmail plot involving a local politician named Avery, played by Mitchell. Avery is having an affair with his secretary, and when Slade witnesses a meeting between the two, he becomes a valuable asset to a group of criminals who want to use the information to extort Avery. At first, Slade is hesitant to get involved, but when the crooks threaten Thorpe and her young son, he realizes he has no choice.

As Slade becomes more involved in the plot, he begins to uncover more secrets about the town and its inhabitants. He discovers that Avery is not the only one with dark secrets, and that there are many interconnected webs of deceit and corruption lurking beneath the town's peaceful exterior. In order to protect Thorpe and her son and bring the criminals to justice, Slade must navigate these treacherous waters, all while being pursued by the police and trying to stay one step ahead of his captors.

The Midnight Man is a tense, gritty thriller that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats throughout. While the plot can be somewhat convoluted at times, the strong performances from the cast, particularly Lancaster and Clark, help to keep things grounded. Lancaster is especially compelling as Slade, portraying him as a complex and flawed character who is struggling to turn his life around.

One of the film's strengths is its depiction of small-town life. The setting helps to create a feeling of claustrophobia and paranoia, as Slade realizes that he cannot trust anyone he meets. Additionally, the film's dark tone and violent confrontations add a sense of danger and excitement to the proceedings.

The Midnight Man was adapted from a novel by David Anthony, and while the story is somewhat pulpy and sensationalistic, it is still an enjoyable ride for fans of the thriller genre. The film was not a huge success upon its release, but it has since gained a cult following and is now considered a forgotten gem from the 1970s.

Overall, The Midnight Man is a gripping crime thriller that offers plenty of suspense and excitement. The performances from the cast and the dark, gritty setting help to create a sense of unease and tension that keeps viewers hooked until the very end. While it may not be a well-known classic, it is certainly worth checking out for fans of the genre.