Pressure Point (1962)

   "Pressure Point" is a underrated mind-game thriller and precursor to "The Silence of the Lambs," whose Nazi antagonist brings back memories of "American History X"'s Derek Vinyard. Intelligent and well-read, but full of hate, "Pressure Point"'s unnamed 'patient' was particularly dangerous because of his keen insights into the hearts of others and his acute articulation of his racist beliefs.

    Sydney Poitier plays the African-American "Doctor," a similarly insightful prison psychiatrist who tries to help 'patient' with his recurring blackouts. "Patient," impressively played by Bobby Darin, works to tear apart "Doctor" while forcing his Nazi ideology on him.

   At first Patient's bigotry seems a little watered down -- the film refrains from letting him use the 'n' ward and he seems more smug than actually dangerous. But slowly, the character's back story unfolds, revealing him to be an extremely dangerous manipulator and violent criminal.