We follow the course of police officer Scott Harper, who has been doing a good job for the police for seven years, when he is recommended for a promotion - but passed over, because of his occasional tendencies to brutality; but a fair lady (Patricia Blair, involved in a diamond heist of $250,000) diverts his mind from his job as she appeals to his softer sides and by her involvement offers him an opportunity to have a grab at the diamonds, but in order to do this he has to change sides. The interesting part of the film is his development from an honest cop to a fully fledged murderer, it happens gradually step by step, and you understand him all the way, as it is actually logical. Anyone would have done the same caught in the cage of the charms of Patricia Blair, who could charm anyone and who you just couldn't turn down, especially not after some tempestuous quarrels. It is a late noir but still a noir and convincing as such, while at the same time it's almost like a documentary, like those of the 40s by Henry Hathaway, told straight by Scott Harper's chief as a very much matter of fact case - the chief understands his officer too well not to give a thorough comment on his case.
Review of Cage of Evil
