
The Naked Edge
1961

1974
RDirector
Roland Kibbee, Burt Lancaster
Runtime
119 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetSynopsis
An ex-convict, and ex-cop, finds himself in the midst of drama as a murder, of a female student, is commited at the university where he works as a night watchman. He is reluctantly drawn into the criminal investigation and eventually becomes a suspect in the case. Will he be able to find the real murderer and clear his own name, or not?
Overall Score
Limited
Category Breakdown
LGBTQ+ Representation
The film adheres to a standard heteronormative framework typical of 1970s crime thrillers. There is no evidence of non-cisnormative gender identities or narratives that critique traditional norms.
Gender Representation
The narrative hierarchy centers on male agency and the protagonist's experience of justice. While a female student's murder catalyzes the plot, women primarily serve as narrative devices rather than active agents.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
The film follows conventional 1970s casting patterns within a university setting. It lacks a non-white majority cast or any use of race-bent casting to disrupt historical norms.
Religious & Cultural Diversity
The story operates within a traditional Western framework of law and individual culpability. It focuses on a personal quest for redemption rather than offering a systemic critique of institutions.
Disability Representation
There are no prominent depictions of visible or invisible disabilities. The drama focuses instead on the psychological stressors related to the protagonist's past and occupation.
Strengths
Areas for Improvement
AI Analysis
The Midnight Man functions as a standard mid-70s thriller that reinforces established cinematic hierarchies. The story is built around a singular male perspective, emphasizing classic noir tropes and individual psychological struggle. Representation is limited by the genre's era-specific conventions. The film lacks intentionality regarding intersectional subversion, instead prioritizing a homogeneous social environment and traditional masculine archetypes. Ultimately, the film serves as a character-driven mystery that stays within the bounds of conventional social and gendered expectations of its time.

1961

1965

1947

1951

1968

1972

1945

1946

1964

1980

1974

2011
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!
Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.