The Big Heat

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The Big Heat

Released Oct 14, 1953

1h 30m

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

75 Reviews

90%

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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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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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Chuck Bowen

Slant Magazine

The Big Heat is a feast of resonant, unsentimental terseness.

Jul 3, 2025

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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

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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

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James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

Although shot on an extremely tight schedule, it exudes a palpable sense of menace and sadism that dovetails powerfully with its depiction of widespread corruption.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jul 26, 2025

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Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

The cruel inevitability makes all that follows something that we must accept because this is now a world devoid of hope and barely holding on to something resembling a conscience.

Jul 16, 2025

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Frank J. Avella

The Contending

Grahame, combining acerbic wit and protective vanity with a self-reflexive attitude, kills as Debby...The character breaks new cinematic femme-fatale ground in her thirst for revenge.. It’s a fearless performance. One for the books.

Rated: A

Jul 15, 2025

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Revolver 0

Absolute crime classic

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/03/25

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Insomniac X

Iconic two-fisted film noir starring Glenn Ford as a renegade cop out for revenge. This tightly paced scorcher set the template for countless crime dramas to follow, with great supporting work from Lee Marvin as a sadistic mob lieutenant, and Gloria Grahame as the gangster's moll who gets burned. Keeps the pressure building throughout, with surprising emotional overtones as it nears the finale. Enough said. If you don't like The Big Heat, you can "turn in your badge and your gun!"

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/29/25

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Will G

A great Noir movie. The same actor from “Gilda”. Someone gets coffee thrown in their face. Great acting. Fritz Lang is a famous director, he also made “Metropolis”. Overall a nice film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/06/25

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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

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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

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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

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Fritz Lang

Director

Glenn Ford

Det. Sgt. Dave Bannion

Gloria Grahame

Debby Marsh

Jocelyn Brando

Katie Bannion

Alexander Scourby

Mike Lagana

Lee Marvin

Vince Stone

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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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