Force of Evil 1948

Joe Morse, a young lawyer, works for the mafia. His brother, Leo Morse, runs a small bookmaking operation that, according to the mafia’s plan, is set to fall victim to mergers and acquisitions. Leo refuses to let Joe become part of the corporation. On July 4, Independence Day, everyone bets on the numbers from that legendary year when the U.S. declared its independence—776—and a massive payout, rigged by the mob, ruins Leo. Joe’s fortunes take a turn for the better; he is a careerist and a ruthless mafioso. But his brother’s death in a mafia war brings him back to where he was before his fall, and he agrees to cooperate with the police.