Raw Deal
Joe Sullivan is itching to get out of prison. He's taken the rap for Rick, who owes him $50,000. Rick sets up an escape for Joe, knowing that Joe will be caught escaping and be shot or locked away forever. But with the help of his love-struck girl Pat and his sympathetic legal caseworker Ann, Joe gets further than he's supposed to, and we are posed with two very important questions: Is Joe really the cold and heartless criminal he appears to be, or is there a heart of gold under that gritty exterior? And does Joe belong with the tough, street-wise Pat, or with the prim, moralizing Ann?
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Raw Deal (1948) exemplifies carefully calibrated narrative design, characteristic of Anthony Mann's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 19 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Joe Sullivan
Pat Regan
Ann Martin
Rick Coyle
Fantail
Main Cast & Characters
Joe Sullivan
Played by Dennis O'Keefe
A convicted criminal who escapes prison with help from his girlfriend, seeking revenge against the mob boss who framed him.
Pat Regan
Played by Claire Trevor
Joe's loyal girlfriend who engineers his prison break and remains devoted despite his dangerous path.
Ann Martin
Played by Marsha Hunt
Joe's idealistic legal secretary taken hostage during the escape who becomes emotionally conflicted about him.
Rick Coyle
Played by Raymond Burr
The ruthless mob boss who double-crossed Joe and sent him to prison, now living in luxury.
Fantail
Played by John Ireland
Rick's sadistic and unstable henchman who enjoys violence and threatens everyone around him.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Joe Sullivan sits in his prison cell, a trapped man counting days while Pat's mournful voiceover establishes his desperate situation and her unwavering devotion to him.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Joe executes his daring prison escape with Pat waiting in the getaway car, breaking free from confinement and setting the doomed journey in motion—unaware Coyle wants him dead.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 20 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Joe commits to hunting down Coyle for the money owed him, dragging both women deeper into danger. His choice to pursue vengeance rather than simply flee marks his irreversible descent., moving from reaction to action.
At 40 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Joe kisses Ann, openly acknowledging his feelings. This false victory in love is actually a devastating turn—Pat witnesses the betrayal, and Joe has now endangered the woman he's falling for., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 60 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Coyle captures Ann, using her as bait to lure Joe to his death. Joe realizes his pursuit of revenge has put the woman he loves in mortal danger—the whiff of death hangs over everything., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 64 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Joe chooses redemption over survival—he will save Ann even if it costs his life. His decision to sacrifice himself synthesizes what Ann taught him about second chances with his criminal skills., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Raw Deal's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Raw Deal against these established plot points, we can identify how Anthony Mann utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Raw Deal within the crime genre.
Anthony Mann's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Anthony Mann films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Raw Deal takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Anthony Mann filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Rustom and The Whole Ten Yards. For more Anthony Mann analyses, see El Cid, The Fall of the Roman Empire and The Man from Laramie.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Joe Sullivan sits in his prison cell, a trapped man counting days while Pat's mournful voiceover establishes his desperate situation and her unwavering devotion to him.
Theme
Ann Martin, the idealistic social worker, tells Joe that everyone deserves a second chance, but warns that the past always catches up—foreshadowing the film's tragic meditation on fate and redemption.
Worldbuilding
The noir underworld is established: Joe's prison existence, Pat's loyal visits, the looming presence of Rick Coyle who owes Joe money, and Ann Martin's visits as an idealistic outsider in this dark world.
Disruption
Joe executes his daring prison escape with Pat waiting in the getaway car, breaking free from confinement and setting the doomed journey in motion—unaware Coyle wants him dead.
Resistance
Joe and Pat flee while Joe debates his options: collect the money Coyle owes him or run to South America. They kidnap Ann when she witnesses them, adding dangerous complications to an already desperate flight.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Joe commits to hunting down Coyle for the money owed him, dragging both women deeper into danger. His choice to pursue vengeance rather than simply flee marks his irreversible descent.
Mirror World
Ann begins to see Joe as more than a criminal—a moment of genuine connection hints at an alternative path. Her goodness offers Joe a mirror to what he could become if he chose differently.
Premise
The fugitive trio navigates the criminal underworld: close calls with police, tense motel hideouts, and the growing triangle as Joe is drawn to Ann's innocence while Pat watches with increasing dread.
Midpoint
Joe kisses Ann, openly acknowledging his feelings. This false victory in love is actually a devastating turn—Pat witnesses the betrayal, and Joe has now endangered the woman he's falling for.
Opposition
Coyle's men close in while the love triangle fractures. Pat's jealousy festers, Ann struggles with her feelings for a criminal, and Joe's plans unravel as every path forward seems blocked.
Collapse
Coyle captures Ann, using her as bait to lure Joe to his death. Joe realizes his pursuit of revenge has put the woman he loves in mortal danger—the whiff of death hangs over everything.
Crisis
Joe faces his dark night: he can flee to safety or walk into Coyle's trap to save Ann. Pat, despite her heartbreak, helps him prepare for what may be a suicide mission.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Joe chooses redemption over survival—he will save Ann even if it costs his life. His decision to sacrifice himself synthesizes what Ann taught him about second chances with his criminal skills.
Synthesis
Joe storms Coyle's hideout in a violent confrontation. He kills Coyle and rescues Ann but is mortally wounded in the process—his redemption achieved through the ultimate sacrifice.
Transformation
Joe dies in Pat's arms as Ann looks on. Pat's final voiceover mourns the man she loved—transformed from desperate convict to redeemed soul, but only through death. The cage is finally open.