The Capture (1950)

Set in Mexico, hunted and on the run from the police, a man (Lew Ayres) confesses the sordid details of his life which includes marrying the widow (Teresa Wright) of a man (Edwin Rand) he killed. With a screenplay by Niven Busch (DUEL IN THE SUN) and directed by John Sturges (BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK). Often referred to as a film noir but that term is overused when describing any film with crime elements and a low key B&W visual style. Told in flashback, the film suggests a good mystery may be ahead but it soon bogs down into a commonplace love story with Ayres having to examine his conscience. The film's screenwriter and producer Niven Busch was married to the film's leading lady Wright but he does her no favors as her character is underwritten and her switch from hating Ayres to falling in love with him is too sudden to be believable. The score by Daniele Amfitheatrof helps the movie as much as it can. With Barry Kelley, Jimmy Hunt and Duncan Renaldo.