搏击高手波恩(迈克尔•加•怀特 Michael Jai White 饰)新近由狱中释放,他在洛杉矶一条炎热、有些混乱的街区租下了一个房间。每天夜色降临的时候,城市中无数地下拳场也开始活跃了起来,波恩很快物色了一位黑拳经纪人平宝,与其合作后击败了无数对手,而这一系列战斗的目的,是为了获得挑战詹姆斯团伙的资格。詹姆斯手中拥有最强大的黑拳战士,而他的情人安吉拉,似乎和波恩有着千丝万缕的关联……
不久,波恩顺利击败詹姆斯的战士,詹姆斯为波恩的实力打动,邀请他参加能带来巨大利益的国际地下搏击赛,波恩并未被打动,因为他在街头奋战的目的,远不是为了钱那么简单。
Novelist Joseph Shearing specialized in using real cases which took place in Victorian England, altering them for fictional purposes. MOSS ROSE in 1947 was the first film to be made from his novels, then in 1948 two of his works were adapted for the screen, this film and THE MARK OF CAIN. The movie stars Todd as a recently widowed missionary returning to her home in England from Jamaica. During the voyage, she meets Milland, a charming though dangerous rascal who is wanted by police in connection with some unsavory dealings. Milland contracts malaria while onboard the ship and Todd nurses him back to health. In London, Todd settles into her home, taking in boarders to make ends meet. Milland arrives, moves in, and proclaims his love for her. Todd is thrilled, but it seems rather obvious that Milland is only toying with her. Milland finds some letters written to her by her friend, Fitzgerald, in which Fitzgerald reveals some of her sexual indiscretions. Since Fitzgerald is now married to the wealthy Huntley, Milland believes he can use the letters to blackmail Fitzgerald. Todd's love for Milland is so great that she goes along with the plan. Huntley, however, learns of the scheme and also uncovers details of Milland's shady past. Fearing for her lover's safety, Todd poisons Huntley, then remains silent when Fitzgerald is arrested for the murder. Milland has by now genuinely fallen in love with Todd and the two make plans to leave England. Before they can depart, one of Milland's former lovers shows up and Todd, in a jealous rage, kills Milland, then turns herself into the police.
This is an intriguing film, although a little on the talky side. The performances are excellent throughout, with Milland shining as the cad, the type of role in which he excelled. Though he spent most of his time making films in the US, he occasionally returned to his native England for a production and this was his first British film since FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS in 1939. Director Allen was also an Englishman who chose to work in the US, this being his first directorial effort in his homeland. This was the fourth and last time Milland and Allen would work together, their pairing having begun in 1944 with the wonderfully eerie THE UNINVITED.