Act of Violence (1949): cast, story & where to watch
1949 · Film · ★ 6.8
Released in 1949, Act of Violence is a thriller and drama film directed by Fred Zinnemann, running about 82 minutes. “The manhunt no woman could stop!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. A former prisoner of war, Frank Enley is hailed as a hero in his California town. However, Frank has a shameful secret that comes back to haunt him when fellow survivor Joe Parkson emerges, intent on making Frank pay for his past deeds.
Who’s in it. Act of Violence stars Van Heflin as Frank R. Enley, Robert Ryan as Joe Parkson, Janet Leigh as Edith Enley and Mary Astor as Pat, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.8/10, Act of Violence has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $1.1M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on HBO Max Amazon Channel, TCM and HBO Max. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Act of Violence page.
If you liked it. Fans of Act of Violence tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Act of Violence (1949)?
- In US, Act of Violence is available to stream on HBO Max Amazon Channel, TCM and HBO Max. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Act of Violence worth watching?
- Act of Violence holds an audience score of 6.8 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller and drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Act of Violence?
- Act of Violence stars Van Heflin, Robert Ryan, Janet Leigh, Mary Astor and Phyllis Thaxter.
- When was Act of Violence released?
- Act of Violence was released in 1949, with a runtime of about 82 minutes.