Patterns (1956)

In the bustling, uncompromising world of corporate New York, Fred Staples finds himself catapulted from the confines of a conglomerate's subsidiary to the executive suite of the company's headquarters, Ramsey & Co. An industrial colossus that swirls around its cold, calculating, and ruthless chief, Walter Ramsey. As Staples navigates this alien landscape, he forges a bond with William Briggs, the seasoned Vice President and Ramsey's longtime second in command. Staples, though youthful and new to the game, proves to be highly effective, much to the delight of the steely Ramsey. Yet, as Staples becomes more entwined in the company, he uncovers a chilling reality. His rapid ascent is part of a cruel design by Ramsey to replace the loyal Briggs, a man who has sacrificed his family life for the company, without having to fire him outright. The narrative unfurls as a tense drama of corporate machinations and personal loyalties. Staples, much like Briggs, believes that people are more than mere cogs in the machine. Their shared ethos stands in stark contrast to Ramsey's ruthless pattern of disposing of his aging aide by fostering an unbearable work environment, hoping Briggs will resign of his own accord. As the battle lines are drawn in the executive arena, Staples is plagued by a crisis of conscience. Torn between his duty to the company and his loyalty to Briggs, he must make a choice that will define his future in the high-stakes world of business. A series of events culminate in a tragedy, a turning point that forces Staples to take decisive action. "Patterns" is an engrossing saga of power, ambition, and the human spirit, set against the backdrop of a cutthroat corporate environment. It paints a compelling picture of the raw and relentless competition that exists within the corridors of power, where human values often become a casualty of ruthless ambition.

Patterns is a drama movie featuring Van Heflin.

Patterns is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Cineverse, DistroTV, Kanopy, The Film Detective and Tubi TV and it's also available on Amazon Prime Video, Fandor Amazon Channel, MGM Plus Amazon Channel, Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel , Pure Flix and fuboTV.

It is also possible to buy Patterns on Amazon Video.