PodBill Just what I expected

Acensbart Excellent but underrated film

Ceticultsot Beautiful, moving film.

Chirphymium It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

TheLittleSongbird Love classic film and crime dramas/mysteries even more so. The more than capable cast further added to the interest (Glenn Ford and Donna Reed are always watchable and wanted to see how Leslie Nielson would fare in a very early dramatic role) and the idea was a great one with plenty of room for tension.'Ransom!' turned out to be a nifty and well above average film. It had room for improvement, on the other hand the good things were numerous and enormous. The Mel Gibson film may be better known, but like many others (although that film was quite well done and particularly worth watching for Gary Sinise), there there is a personal preference for the darker, more mysterious and more suspenseful yet not as flashy and more staid perhaps 1956 film, which today is criminally undervalued and generally has more substance.Is 'Ransom!' without faults? No. Donna Reed tries her best but the character is underdeveloped and lacks subtlety, causing Reed to overdo the hysteria especially. Occasionally it's a bit static.Plus it would have been even better if the villains were not as thinly sketched, though that they remained unseen did provide a mysterious edge, and the ending (although slightly touching and thankfully not improbable) less anti-climactic, overwrought and lacking resolve.However, 'Ransom!' is particularly worth seeing for Glenn Ford who gives a superb performance, very deeply felt, suitably stern and often restrained. Juano Hernandez is a sympathetic and heartfelt moral compass (the subplot gave the film heart), while Robert Keith and Juanita Moore are good support. Leslie Nielson fares well in a dramatic early role though he did go on to better things. The villains could have had more meat to them but they do provide some menace and there is a good amount of tension where one cares for the situation (helped by that the lead character here is better fleshed out), something that Gibson's version didn't quite have.The story is more deliberate, but there is a real air of suspense and dread without any gratuity or overblown action to cheapen it. It is also generally far more plausible, whereas Gibson's version unravelled in that aspect near the end. The script is taut, lean and thoughtful while the film is competently if not always imaginatively directed. 'Ransom!' looks suitably atmospheric and is very nicely shot.Overall, good and well done film if not without things that could have done with some tweaking. 7/10 Bethany Cox

vincentlynch-moonoi One thing that made me feel good about the IMDb reviews of this film is that people do recognize what a top notch actor Glenn Ford was, though he was not in the upper echelons of the Cary Grants and the Laurence Oliviers. But, Ford was a steady, dependable actor, and this may well be his best performance.His co-star here was Donna Reed, and unfortunately she succumbed to the world of television sitcoms. Although this film was made concurrently with her sitcom, we often forget that, like Ford, Reed was a dependable actor in almost any type of role, whether it be Jimmy Stewart's wife in "It's A Wonderful Life" or Dean Martin's girlfriend in "The Caddy", or one of the four leads in "From Here To Eternity".I think one of the things that made this film so riveting, is that it looked at a kidnapping from multiple perspectives, more so than many films on the topic. And, it was actually better for the FBI not being called into the case.The supporting actors here do an excellent job, as well. In particular, Leslie Neilsen as the newspaper reporter, back before he had turned to comedy. Also of note was Robert Keith as the police chief. And, while the role was not particularly outstanding, Juano Hernandez was a welcome addition as the servant.In terms of what to criticize here? I can't think of a thing. Some of our reviewers felt it would have been more logical for the little boy who had been kidnapped to be killed. But that would have subjected the kidnappers to a federal felony likely resulting in the death penalty. While not illogical, it would be just as likely that they would not kill the boy when they realized they would not be getting the money.Highly recommended! And this is one of those films I never forgot after seeing it on one of the network movie nights of the early 1960s. You won't forget it either.

JLRMovieReviews Glenn Ford and Donna Reed star in this story of a prominent rich family, because the father's in the vacuum cleaner business, making them, not selling. Because he's in the public eye and rich, his son is ripe for the taking, anyone might think. And, they can get quite a big ransom for the boy. Think again. Glenn Ford's just a little smarter than your average dad, or maybe crazier. He decides not only to not pay the ransom, half a million dollars, but instead is putting it on the head of the abductor and in effect turns the tables on him. The film starts out well and is at best a very emotional roller-coaster ride, as both Donna and Glenn break down. Donna Reed is especially good, and gives a memorable performance in one scene in particular, as she is remembering the day her baby was born. But the climax of the film is seeing Glenn Ford, live on a television broadcast, vowing to get his enemy no matter the cost. From there, the film, quite frankly, drags. The film's main attribute is the acting, as some of the dialogue throughout is awkward and unrealistic. The fact that he doesn't pay the ransom and his speech are the most distinctive things about the picture. In fact, I'm surprised they made a full film about it, because essentially there was no story to really tell. Leslie Nielsen makes his screen debut as a nosy and pushy reporter who wants a scoop. The Mel Gibson remake had a stronger ending, but at the same time makes the viewer feel as if, is this really appropriate? All in all, if you are curious about the original "Ransom," I would recommend it to see the stars in some strong acting performances, but this film is really a one-time deal.

MarieGabrielle I had seen him in the Big Heat and while it was an admirable performance, seemed a bit wooden. Not so in this film. Ford gives many dimensions to a man in conflict and trauma, he is multi-faceted and really the focus of the film.The film was based on a true crime committed in the 1950's. Ford's son is kidnapped by someone posing as a nurse, removing his child from school. A wealthy man, Ford questions the efficacy of paying a ransom- why pay? he asks.Donna Reed as his wife is acceptable but at the start of the film a bit too perky and perfect. There is a nice sub-plot with Juano Hernanadez, the family butler, who looks after Ford and prays for him; trying to help him survive the horrific events.I had seen the new version with Rene Russo and Mel Gibson. It is a pale version; the new version is all glitz and no substance. Ford draws the audience into his despair, and we truly care about the outcome of these characters. There is no mindless action, violence as there is in the Gibson movie.Highly recommended. 8/10.