Violence (1955 film)

Violence is a 1955 American film noir crime film directed by Jack Pollexfen and starring Nancy Gates, Michael O'Shea, and Emile Meyer.

The film centers on Vince St. Clair (Michael O'Shea), a World War II veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, though this condition is not explicitly named as such in the film. He struggles to readjust to civilian life and finds himself working on a farm. He is suspected of murdering his boss after the boss is found dead. Forced to flee, he becomes embroiled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse as he attempts to clear his name and uncover the real killer.

Nancy Gates plays Carol, the sympathetic woman who believes in Vince's innocence and aids him in his efforts. Emile Meyer portrays the hard-boiled police detective determined to bring Vince to justice.

Violence is noted for its low-budget production values and its attempt to explore the psychological effects of war on returning veterans, a theme relatively uncommon in film noir of the period. While not a major critical success, the film remains a minor entry in the film noir genre and is occasionally screened in revivals and studied for its thematic content.