Ransom!

This is an influential film from the mid-50s starring Glenn Ford, a wealthy manufacturer and his wife, Donna Reed (Edith) who are victimized by kidnappers and must pay a ransom, or do they? One of the writers is Richard Maibaum, famous later for his James Bond screenwriting, so you know you're in for a tense ride. From the get-go this becomes a psychological nail-biter when the family is homebound surrounded by newspapermen, police and curious neighbors. The cast is remarkable in its supporting characters: Robert Keith as the police chief, Juano Hernandez as butler and confidante. There is one flaw that seems fa.se, in that the female characters appear weak or annoying in their pestering the couple whether neighbors or intrusively self-important. A small flaw to the flow of the plot though. Glenn Ford stays the course true to his beliefs when others wilt under the strain aided strongly by Leslie Nielsen in his first role outside "Forbidden Planet" Just when you begin to find him cocky, the all-knowing journalist, he grows to admire the strength of Glenn Ford and in minor interactions he bolsters David Stannard's (Glenn Ford) resolve when he had doubts. What is special about Stannard? He's that exceptional dad who would rather play with his kid than go to work His strength of character reveals itself in his personal address to the kidnappers not to be missed!( At this point in time Donna Reed hadn't made her own TV show debut.) You see, this film was not shown on TV in the 60-s or 70s due to its hardline stance on kidnappings. You must see this gripping film with its unique message for kidnappers whch comes when Edith has broken down, Stannard's brother has alienated his affections and the police in frustration ask to be excused from any liability for their actions, leaving Ford alone in his home brought to his knees. This is equal to the power of "The Blackboard Jungle," the other Glenn Ford pressure cooker..

This Warner Archives MOD-DVD of "Ransom!" (MGM, 1956) is excellent in sound and video. The contrast is perfect and details are easily discerned.I'm not sure I agree with the other reviewers who have given this film a five-star rating. There's just something phoney about the proceedings; the direction didn't draw me into this suspense thriller "wannabe." The production just doesn't "grab ya."Maybe I couldn't sympathize with the temperamental Glenn Ford character, the hysterical Donna Reed character, the overbearing Leslie Nielsen character, or the cowardly sychophant Robert Keith character. None of the characterizations ring true in this story of the kidnapping of a wealthy couple's 8-year-old son.Of course, everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion. I think it's a good movie, but it coulda been, shoulda been, much better.Give it a look-see and you might like it better than I did.

Excellent 1956 film by Alex Segal, which was more productive on TV than in theaters.Ransom is reproduced on a very good DVD Archive Warner copy. We would have liked to know more about this production, but "Archive" discs are minimalist in the field of video supplements.We know the remake with Mel Gibson which takes again identically (or almost) the intrigue of this suspense with Glenn Ford. Of course the Mel Gibson version modernizes this story for the 2000s.But the film with Glenn Ford remains effective, if we look at the context of the time.

Even though it's an older version of the recent Mel Gipson thriller, this version still managed to keep me very involved. Glenn Ford is great in anything he does.

I love this movie.

Parents Donna Reed and Glenn Ford have their small son kidnapped. When Ford decides not to pay the ransom, the tension is thick as the wait is on to see if their son is returned ... or not.

Glen Ford is great and story will keep you on the edge of your seat right till the end!

all handled well

Saw this movie as a child and it stayed with me for years. I have the Mel Gibson remake so I was glad when I found the original. Love them both, very good story!

When their son is kidnapped Dave Stannard (Glenn Ford) liquidates much of his holdings to raise the ransom to get his son back, but in time he changes his mind due to something that is said by a reporter during the time the boy is being held, and during this time his wife (Donna Reed) waits and worries. There is also a nice performance by Leslie Neilsen early in his career, as well as Alexander Scourby as the Chief of Police. In the end the boy is returned safe without having to pay the ransom. Strong performance by Ford as the father.

Glenn Ford's earlier acting days with beautiful women. This movie is filled with suspense and anxiety. Every moment is important - no sidetracking as we find so much in many movies these days. The same excellent intensity as "Experiment in Terror" and "The Big Heat" also avaiable at amazon.ca