At the time of its release, Kiss of Death achieved some notoriety due to its brutal portrayal of violence and life in the underworld. Richard Widmark made one of the most memorable screen debuts in cinematic history with his chilling performance of a sadistic killer who, among other things, gleefully shoves a wheelchair-bound woman down a flight of stairs.

Today, the film has a little less impact than it did. It's a little dated -- the dialogue is not something that would ring true today. The acting, save for Widmark's, is weak by any reasonable standard. Save for the acting, those able to appreciate the movie on its own terms, it's a compelling tale with some haunting moments.