Mirage is a 1965 American neo noir thriller film starring Gregory Peck and Diane Baker, and released by Universal Pictures.

[2] Directed by Edward Dmytryk[3] from a screenplay by Peter Stone, it is based on the 1952 novel Fallen Angel, written by Howard Fast under the pseudonym Walter Ericson; the novel is not credited by title onscreen.

During a power outage in the New York City skyscraper where he works, corporate suit David Stillwell decides to exit using the unlit stairs.

Outside is the body of the noted philanthropist and leading world peace activist Charles Calvin, who apparently jumped from his 27th-floor office.

A large, pugnacious man, Willard, is working in the machine room and orders Stillwell to leave.

While attempting to report the encounter to the police, Stillwell becomes distressed by basic questions about his background and storms out.

His home is New York, but he has spent the last two years in California working at a private research facility in a sub-basement lab under a man named Sylvester Josephson.

To prevent his peaceful discovery from being misused, Stillwell attempted to burn the document containing the formula; as Calvin lunged at it, he had tripped out the window to his death.

Another key location in the film is the walk with Peck and Baker through Battery Park to City Pier A.

[citation needed] The New York Times wrote, "In brisk, colloquial, occasionally humorous style, this exercise in mayhem, murder, mental instability and moralizing about the scientist's place in an atomic world, evolves as an interesting, fairly taut, if not especially credible, chase-mystery.

"[11] In 2012, Time Out called it "one of the better thrillers of the '60s", concluding, "The harsh b/w photography, the various levels of reality, and the use of urban landscape, all contribute to the feeling of unease, building up an atmosphere that is perhaps better than the mechanics of the plot deserve.

"[12] The film score is composed, arranged and conducted by Quincy Jones, using an uncredited orchestra.