Odds Against Tomorrow 1959

Burke drafts the bank robbery plan

David Burke, a former policeman ruined by his refusal to cooperate with state crime investigators, starts planning a bank robbery. He seeks out Earle Slater and promises him $50,000 if the job succeeds. He also recruits Johnny Ingram, a nightclub entertainer addicted to gambling who is in debt and looking for a way out.

Lorry learns of Ingram's race and Slater refuses

Slater is supported by his girlfriend Lorry, but when he discovers that Johnny Ingram is black, he initially refuses to participate in the robbery. The plan begins to fray as personal and racial tensions threaten the crew's cohesion. Lorry's loyalty cannot bridge the widening divide.

Slater re-enters the plan

Realizing he still needs the money, Slater reconsiders and joins Burke and Ingram in the enterprise. The crew, now with Slater back in, begins to synchronize their roles for the heist. Tensions between Ingram and Slater begin to simmer as the date approaches.

Rising tensions among the crew

As the heist nears, personal and racial animosities flare, threatening the group's unity. Ingram resents Slater's authority while Slater resents Ingram's pride, fueling distrust. The planning shifts from confident anticipation to anxious caution.

Night of the robbery

The three crooks enter the bank and carry out the robbery, fleeing with the stolen money. The operation proceeds with a tense quiet and careful coordination. Each man weighs the risks as they slip away into the night.

Burke is spotted and dies

A police officer sees Burke leaving the scene of the heist, triggering a pursuit. A chaotic shootout ensues, and Burke is killed in the crossfire. To avoid capture, he shoots himself, ending his part in the intertwined fate of the trio.

Slater and Ingram on the run

Slater and Ingram continue to evade the police while their relationship and temperaments clash. Their flight is marked by suspicion and haste as they try to put distance between themselves and law enforcement. The partnership frays further as they drive toward a final escape.

Escape to the fuel storage depot

The fugitives head to a remote fuel storage depot, racing through the backstreets and industrial areas. They scramble to reach the depot and attempt to keep ahead of the pursuing officers. The sense of danger intensifies as their options narrow.

Confrontation on the fuel tanks

Slater and Ingram chase each other onto the tops of the fuel tanks, exchanging gunfire amid a hazardous environment. The height and flammables create a deadly impasse that tests their nerve and endurance. Their animosity continues to play out in a final, volatile duel.

Explosion and the fate of the two men

The fuel tanks ignite, unleashing a massive explosion that consumes both Slater and Ingram. The resulting inferno leaves their bodies burned beyond recognition. Police later note that the two corpses are indistinguishable, making identification impossible.

Police survey the ruin

Following the explosion, authorities comb the wrecked depot and surrounding area for evidence. The stark landscape underscores the film’s fatalistic mood as the criminals’ plan collapses completely. The only clear image left is the burned, unidentifiable remains.