The Lawbreakers Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 15, 2026
Movie Overview: The Lawbreakers
| Movie | The Lawbreakers |
| Release Year | 1961 |
| Director | Joseph M. Newman |
| Genre | Drama / Crime |
| Runtime | 79 minutes (1h 19m) |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Lawbreakers (1961) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.4/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Lawbreakers are led by Jack Warden . The supporting cast, including Vera Miles and Robert Douglas , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While The Lawbreakers does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Drama films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Lawbreakers has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Lawbreakers
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1961, The Lawbreakers is a Drama, Crime film directed by Joseph M. Newman, written by Paul Monash. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Jack Warden as Matthew Gower.
Ending Explained: The Lawbreakers
The Lawbreakers Ending Explained: The story of a scheme to double-cross the syndicate and steal its money, and of a police commissioner 's efforts to investigate homicides that take place as the scheme unfolds while also fighting corruption in the city government and police department. Directed by Joseph M. Newman, this 1961 drama film stars Jack Warden (Matthew Gower), alongside Vera Miles as Angela Walsh, Robert Douglas as Allen Bardeman, Arch Johnson as Gus Honochek. With a 6.4/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of The Lawbreakers?
The story of a scheme to double-cross the syndicate and steal its money, and of a police commissioner 's efforts to investigate homicides that take place as the scheme unfolds while also fighting corruption in the city government and police department.
How Does Jack Warden (Matthew Gower)'s Story End?
- Jack Warden: Jack Warden's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Vera Miles (Angela Walsh): Vera Miles's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Robert Douglas (Allen Bardeman): Robert Douglas's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Lawbreakers Mean?
The Lawbreakers's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Jack Warden may feel rushed. Joseph M. Newman's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.
The Lawbreakers Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is The Lawbreakers Based on a True Story?
Yes, The Lawbreakers draws from real criminal cases and investigative records. Directed by Joseph M. Newman and starring Jack Warden, this drama, crime film explores how real events have been adapted into a dramatic narrative.
Real Story vs Movie Version of The Lawbreakers
The film takes creative liberties to strengthen its narrative. Certain scenes are likely dramatized to enhance emotional impact.
While inspired by real events, the narrative focuses more on storytelling than strict historical accuracy.
Accuracy Assessment: The Lawbreakers uses real-life inspiration as the foundation for a dramatized narrative. The film prioritizes thematic storytelling over strict documentary accuracy.
Who Should Watch The Lawbreakers?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Jack Warden or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
At just 79 minutes, it's a quick watch.
The Lawbreakers Parents Guide & Age Rating
1961 AdvisoryWondering about The Lawbreakers age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Lawbreakers (1961) is 79 minutes (1h 19m). Directed by Joseph M. Newman, the film runs for 79 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.4/10, and global performance metrics, The Lawbreakers is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1961 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Lawbreakers worth watching?
The Lawbreakers is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.4/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Lawbreakers parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Lawbreakers identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Lawbreakers (1961)?
The runtime of The Lawbreakers (1961) is 79 minutes (approximately 1h 19m).
movieMx Verified
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.
