Dassin was a really wonderful director - "Rififi" and "Night and the City" are favourites - so I've been looking forward to seeing more of his films; I think this one stands comparison with those greats, partly because of the stunning Oscar winning B&W cinematography - shot on the streets of New York City, in a semi-documentary style, and a great omniscient and sometimes witty narration by producer Mark Hellinger which guides us through one of the "eight million stories" of the city - the police investigation into the murder of a model. A stylish, fascinating and unique film noir.

You really have to admire the style of it. It had such an interesting and lovely direction to it. Dassin and the cast did a nice job with this one.

A brilliant and inspired crime/suspense/noir with documentary flourishes. A week in the life of New York City, as told through the investigation of a single homicide case. Exemplary filmmaking in every respect.