The Tall Target

A cheapo gem of a thriller: a noir-influenced costume drama set largely aboard a train carrying Abe Lincoln (the date is 1861) to Baltimore to make a pre-inauguration speech. Hitching a ride is Powell, a New York cop who has wind of an assassination attempt, has resigned from the force because of the scepticism of his superiors, and finds that playing a lone wolf hand with no official backing has its hazards as he does everything in his power to avert disaster. Ingeniously and inventively plotted, taut and unpretentious, the film dashes along at a furious pace, with a strong period feel and nicely understated performances, well served by Mann's straightforward direction.