It's quite interesting that, aside from the "Scarlet Pimpernel", there are relatively few films that deal with the French revolution and this is certainly one of the better ones. Robespierre (Richard Basehart) is suitably menacing as the First Citizen of the new Republic bent on becoming Dictator. When his opponents discover the existence of, and manage to steal, his secret black book - in which are named the people he intends to have visit Madame Guillotine, he and St. Just (Jess Barker) must recover it at any cost. Robert Cummings is good, if a little too Louis Hayward-esque, as the dashing "D'Aubigny" who, ably aided by Arlene Dahl ("Madelon") - is determined to use the book ensure the downfall of his power-mad foe and secure democracy for his country. Arnold Moss stands out, too, as the duplicitous "Fouché" and Anthony Mann and John Alton work well together with Philip Jordan's story to create a tense, eerily lit drama that creates more than enough menace - especially towards the end - to keep this entertaining throughout with a fair degree of authentic looking sets from Culver City.