+ Phil Green (Gregory Peck)
- Motivations: Initially driven by career ambition, later by a genuine desire to expose injustice.
- Development: Transforms from a relatively naive individual to a deeply aware and empathetic one.
- Relationships: Complicated relationships with Kathy (reflecting societal prejudice) and his son Tommy (who is directly affected by antisemitism).
- Conflict: Internal conflict between his personal beliefs and the compromises required by his job.
+ Kathy Lacey (Dorothy McGuire)
- Motivations: Represents a well-meaning but ultimately prejudiced segment of society.
- Development: Undergoes a gradual awakening to her own biases.
- Relationships: Romantic interest in Phil, strained by her unconscious antisemitism.
- Represents: The subtle and often unintentional nature of prejudice.
+ Dave Goldman (John Garfield)
- Motivations: Represents the Jewish experience, facing constant discrimination.
- Relationships: Friend to Phil, provides a crucial perspective on the impact of antisemitism.
- Represents: The everyday realities of being Jewish in a prejudiced society.