The Big Heat | Full Movie | Movies Anywhere

Name: The Big Heat
Released: 1953-10-14
Cast: Glenn Ford, Gloria Grahame, Jocelyn Brando, Alexander Scourby, Lee Marvin

The Big Heat

NR
1h 30m
1953

94%

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Ruthless criminals, a dedicated honest cop, sultry women and a gripping plot...all the elements of a classic police action-drama are here in full force. Police Sergeant Bannion (Glenn Ford) is investigating the apparent suicide of a corrupt cop, then is suddenly ordered to stop and The Big Heat is on. Driven to unravel the mystery, Bannion continues probing until an explosion meant for him, kills his wife. He resigns from the force and soon learns that behind it all is the powerful underworld led by Mike Lagana (Alexander Scourby) and his cold-blooded henchman, Vince Stone (Lee Marvin). When Stone's girl Debby (Gloria Grahame) makes a play for Bannion, Stone disfigures her face. In revenge, she tells all she knows. Ultimately, Bannion and Stone square off in a life-or-death confrontation.

Director:

Fritz Lang

Producer:

Robert Arthur

Writer:

Sydney Boehm

Cast:

Glenn Ford, Gloria Grahame, Jocelyn Brando, Alexander Scourby, Lee Marvin

Rotten Tomatoes® Score

TOMATOMETER®

94%

Critics Consensus: Presented with stark power by director Fritz Lang, The Big Heat is a delightfully grim noir that peers into the heart of darkness without blinking.

Reviews

Daily Telegraph (Australia)

Josephine O'Neill

[The Big Heat] has cast its sordid people skilfully -- including Jeannette Nolan's woman blackmailer. Glenn Ford settles for a mood of tough resignation all the way through.

Glenn Ford’s a police detective who leaves the force to fight a crime ring single-handed after the gang has murdered his wife. He gets unexpected help from Gloria Grahame, efficient as always in the role of a gunman’s mistreated girlfriend.

March 28, 2024

FULL REVIEW

Motion Picture Herald (Exhibitors Herald)

Mandel Herbstman

The story, fashioned in standard mold, is heightened by a good production polish... An effective performance by Ford is matched by the gun moll characterization of Gloria Grahame and that of the gangland czar by Alexander Scourby.

About the opening sequence of The Big Heat, there is a smoothness, a fluency of expression that grips the imagination. It reflects the intensely personal style of the film's director, Fritz Lang.

One of the best produced crime melodramas to have come out of Hollywood in some time. It is taut and exciting, and the direction and acting are so skillful that one is made to feel as if present at a real-life occurrence.

March 28, 2024

FULL REVIEW