Underworld

Underworld (1927) is a silent gangster film directed by Josef von Sternberg and starring Clive Brook as Rolls Royce Wensel, a former lawyer who has fallen into alcoholism, and Evelyn Brent as Feathers McCoy, the object of affection for the charismatic Bull Weed (George Bancroft). As Bull's troubles escalate, Rolls Royce devises an escape plan from his death sentence, but faces a dilemma with Feathers, wondering if they should elope together and leave Bull to his fate. The film marked the beginning of Sternberg's eight-year collaboration with Paramount Pictures and is considered one of the earliest examples of the film noir genre.