The Lost Man


2h 2m 1969

Brief Synopsis

The leader of a black militant group hides out from police in an old movie theatre and enlists the help of a social worker to make his escape.

Film Details

Also Known As
How Many Roads
MPAA Rating
Genre
Adaptation
Drama
Release Date
Jan 1969
Premiere Information
New York opening: 25 Jun 1969
Production Company
Universal Pictures
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the novel Odd Man Out by Frederick Lawrence Green (London, 1945).

Technical Specs

Duration
2h 2m
Sound
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Color
Color (Technicolor)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
2.35 : 1

Synopsis

After watching police break up a nonviolent demonstration outside a factory in a large Eastern city, a group of black militants led by Jason Higgs perfect plans for robbing the same plant of its payroll to provide money for families of jailed black demonstrators. Jason, who abandoned nonviolence after 19 arrests, persuades Dennis Laurence, leader of the peaceful demonstration, to stage another protest at the same spot to divert police away from the robbery. Upon leaving Dennis's home, Jason meets Cathy Ellis, a white social worker whose obvious affection for him he ignores. On the day of the robbery, Jason and associates Eddie Moxy, Reggie Page, and Orville seize the payroll and take both the factory manager and his secretary as hostages. As they reach the getaway cars, however, the manager breaks away, and Reggie is killed in the ensuing scuffle. Jason, wounded as he shoots down his friend's assailant, flees on foot and takes refuge in a movie theater, where he meets Sally, a young black woman who takes him to her apartment for first aid. Meanwhile, Eddie and Orville go to a whorehouse and are slain trying to escape after the madam notifies the police. Sally contacts Dennis, who reluctantly agrees to help Jason get the money to his organization and make a getaway by boat. Police security prevents contact with the organization, however, and when Cathy tries to hide Jason in her home, her father, a civil rights attorney, slaps her and angrily notifies the police. Later, Hamilton, a detective, confronts Jason at the waterfront and shoots the militant after he refuses to make a deal. Jason, too weak to reach the waiting ship, has to be supported by Cathy. When police close in, making escape impossible, Cathy fires Jason's gun into the ground, drawing police gunfire that kills them both.

Film Details

Also Known As
How Many Roads
MPAA Rating
Genre
Adaptation
Drama
Release Date
Jan 1969
Premiere Information
New York opening: 25 Jun 1969
Production Company
Universal Pictures
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the novel Odd Man Out by Frederick Lawrence Green (London, 1945).

Technical Specs

Duration
2h 2m
Sound
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Color
Color (Technicolor)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
2.35 : 1

Quotes

Trivia

Notes

Location scenes filmed in Philadelphia. Previously filmed as Odd Man Out (Universal-International, 1947). Pre-release title: How Many Roads.

Miscellaneous Notes

Released in United States Summer July 1969

Released in United States Summer July 1969