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The Big Heat

Play trailer Poster for The Big Heat Released Oct 14, 1953 1h 30m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 72 Reviews 90% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
A police officer seems to have committed suicide, but Detective Dave Bannion (Glenn Ford) thinks there's more to the story. After talking to the man's mob-connected mistress, Bannion discovers far-reaching corruption that leads all the way from the police station to kingpin Mike Lagana (Alexander Scourby). But when the policeman's lover is killed, it becomes clear that crossing Lagana is a dangerous thing to do. Soon Bannion finds himself marked for death and his family in mortal danger.
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The Big Heat

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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.

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Critics Reviews

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Lindsay Anderson Sight & Sound Above all, it is directed with a dramatic incisiveness, a sharp-edged observation that keeps the pitch of interest and excitement continuously high. Apr 11, 2024 Full Review Helen Bower Detroit Free Press It has the kind of socko that will lies behind a good many small items in the newspapers and behind the big stories that make the evil deeds of the Medicis amateurish and simple in comparison. Apr 11, 2024 Full Review Mildred Martin Philadelphia Inquirer Ford has seldom been seen to better advantage than as Bannion... Miss Grahame adds another fine performance to those that already stand to her credit; while Scourby, Marvin and Adam Williams create genuinely terrifying portraits of beasts of prey. Apr 11, 2024 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy A brutal bit of film noir. Rated: 3.5/4 Dec 21, 2024 Full Review Joshua Polanski Midwest Film Journal The Big Heat is a pessimistic, mordacious, even feral film in the late style of the great director... Jul 4, 2024 Full Review P.S. Harrison Harrison's Reports 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. Apr 11, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Blobbo X Well done but something missing. Fell asleep halfway through so can't pinpoint problem area. (Maybe Glenn Ford lack of range?) Early Lee Marvin always impress though. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/22/24 Full Review Mike W A very enjoyable movie, the second recent that I have seen with Glen Ford. He was excellent in both. I used to think I didnt care for his movies but that has changed. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/15/24 Full Review Leaburn O Standard detective v crime Gand shtick but done tidily and at a good pace. An enjoyable crime thriller from yesteryear. Watched on SKY Cinema. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/03/24 Full Review Jack V Solid noir, but it could've been a lot better and more suspenseful. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/02/24 Full Review Alexander B Very good for the time it came out. If you like classic noir this is a must. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/23/23 Full Review Mark A One of the great ones! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/20/22 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

So Dark the Night 100% 40% So Dark the Night Watchlist Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round 33% 31% Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round Watchlist The Blue Gardenia 84% 62% The Blue Gardenia Watchlist Human Desire 60% 73% Human Desire Watchlist The Street With No Name 100% 58% The Street With No Name Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis A police officer seems to have committed suicide, but Detective Dave Bannion (Glenn Ford) thinks there's more to the story. After talking to the man's mob-connected mistress, Bannion discovers far-reaching corruption that leads all the way from the police station to kingpin Mike Lagana (Alexander Scourby). But when the policeman's lover is killed, it becomes clear that crossing Lagana is a dangerous thing to do. Soon Bannion finds himself marked for death and his family in mortal danger.
Director
Fritz Lang
Producer
Robert Arthur
Screenwriter
William P. McGivern
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Columbia
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 14, 1953, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 25, 2014
Runtime
1h 30m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
35mm, Flat (1.37:1)
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