
Patterns
1956 · Movie · Approved · 83 min · ★ 7.3 · 78% critics
A cruel CEO uses sabotage and humiliation to push a decent executive toward resignation, aiming to replace him with a new hire who’s expected to follow orders. As office politics close in, the newcomer wrestles with ambition versus conscience while the power struggle escalates.
Also known as Patterns of Power
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Details
- Years
- 1956
- Release date
- 1956-03-27
- Language
- English
- Rated
- Approved
- Runtime
- 83 min
- Max quality
- HD
- Critic score
- 78/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.3/10 (55 votes)
About
Watch Patterns if you like tense, dialogue-driven corporate power struggles and moral pressure in the workplace; Not for you if you want light, modern office realism or contemporary social attitudes like those in Executive Suite or Seven Days in May.
Pros: sharp dialogue; standout acting; tense workplace drama | Cons: harsh corporate outlook; dated social mores; some pacing complaints
Themes
- new york city
- ambition
- big business
Cast & crew

Van Heflin
as Fred Staples

Everett Sloane
as Walter Ramsey

Ed Begley
as Bill Briggs

Beatrice Straight
as Nancy Staples

Elizabeth Wilson
as Marge Fleming
- JR
Joanna Roos
as Margaret Lanier
- VC
Valerie Cossart
as Martha Stevens
- EK
Eleni Kiamos
as Sylvia Trammel
- RW
Ronnie Welsh
as Paul Briggs
- SS
Shirley Standlee
as Miss Hill
Directed by Fielder Cook