High Wall
Performance & Direction: High Wall Review
Last updated: February 17, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is High Wall (1947) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and High Wall features a noteworthy lineup led by Robert Taylor . Supported by the likes of Audrey Totter and Herbert Marshall , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: High Wall
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1947, High Wall is a Crime, Drama, Thriller film directed by Curtis Bernhardt. The narrative dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Robert Taylor.
Ending Explained: High Wall
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Curtis Bernhardt, High Wall concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to crime resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving Robert Taylor, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the crime themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of High Wall reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
High Wall Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
High Wall incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, drama, thriller film directed by Curtis Bernhardt, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement for Robert Taylor's character.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: High Wall adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch High Wall?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Robert Taylor or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Top Cast: High Wall
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Where to Watch High Wall Online?
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TCMHigh Wall Parents Guide & Age Rating
1947 AdvisoryWondering about High Wall age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of High Wall is 99 minutes (1h 39m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.3/10, and global performance metrics, High Wall is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1947 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is High Wall worth watching?
High Wall is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 6.3/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find High Wall parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for High Wall identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of High Wall?
The total duration of High Wall is 99 minutes, which is approximately 1h 39m long.
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How High Wall Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for High Wall
Murders and Medicinal Mania. High Wall is directed by Curtis Bernhardt and adapted to screenplay by Sydney Boehm and Lester Cole from the play by Alan R. Clark and Bradbury Foote. It stars Robert Taylor, Audrey Totter, Herbert Marshall, Dorothy Patrick and H.B. Warner. Music is by Bronislau Kaper and cinematography by Paul Vogel. Suffering from a brain injury sustained during the war, Steven Kenet (Taylor) is further rocked by the realisation that he may have strangled his wife during one of his blackout episodes. Committed to a county asylum, Steven responds to treatment by Dr. Ann Lorrison (Totter) and comes to believe he just might be innocent of his wife’s murder. But can he convince the authorities? Can he in fact get out of the asylum to find proof? By 1947 film noir had firmly encompassed the plot strand involving returning veterans from the war. Plot would find them struggling to readjust into society, they would be battle scarred, emotionally torn or suffering some form of injury, such as a popular favourite of film makers of the time, the amnesia sufferer. High Wall is one of the better pictures from the original film noir cycle to deal with this premise. Where except for a daft method used to bring the story to its conclusion, it’s a well thought out and intelligent picture. The pairing of Taylor and Totter is one of the film’s strengths, they are helped no end by having parts that requires them to veer away from roles that they were accustomed to. Bernhardt and Vogel dress the picture up superbly, the camera glides eerily around the asylum, throwing impressive shadows across the drama, and the camera technique used for Kenet’s flashback sequences proves mood magnificent. Out of the asylum the visuals still remain beautiful whilst still exuding a bleakness befitting the unfolding story, with rain drenched streets the order of the night. While Kaper drifts a suitably haunting musical score across proceedings. It’s unhurried and cares about attention to details, and even though some of the ethics involved in story are dubious, this is a smart entry in the psychological film noir canon. 7.5/10
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This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
