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Brute Force

Play trailer Poster for Brute Force 1947 1h 38m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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95% Tomatometer 20 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Released from solitary confinement, prisoner Joe Collins (Burt Lancaster) learns that his supportive wife, Ruth (Ann Blyth), is refusing surgery to treat her potentially deadly cancer, unless Joe can be by her side after the operation. But while Joe is plotting his escape with fellow prisoner Gallagher (Charles Bickford), a violent incident in the prison machine shop causes the entire prison to go into lockdown mode, overseen by the mean-spirited guard Captain Munsey (Hume Cronyn).
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Brute Force

Critics Reviews

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Dave Kehr Chicago Reader 04/08/2008
The escape sequence has the spatial intricacy of the heist in Dassin's Rififi, but the tone is tougher, bleaker, and more suspenseful. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety 04/08/2008
Bristling, biting dialog by Richard Brooks paints broad cameos as each character takes shape under existing prison life. Go to Full Review Tom Milne Time Out 06/24/2006
This is one of Dassin's best films. Go to Full Review Brian Susbielles InSession Film 03/07/2023
What is a prison film noir features striking political parallels... Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 03/21/2022
4/4
The film suggests that the struggle, though it may certainly end in defeat, is not defeatist; it punctuates the moral and legal paradox surrounding both our penal system and everyday lives. Go to Full Review Moira Walsh America Magazine 07/15/2021
As a realistic study of the dregs of society this is validly written and magnificently acted, but the story concentrates on violence and hatred so single mindedly that it misses its point as a plea for more enlightened penal regulations. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
Brute Force

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Cast & Crew

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Jules Dassin

Director

Burt Lancaster

Joe Collins

Hume Cronyn

Captain Munsey

Charles Bickford

Galingher

Yvonne De Carlo

Gina

Ann Blyth

Ruth

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Brute Force

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Movie Info

Synopsis Released from solitary confinement, prisoner Joe Collins (Burt Lancaster) learns that his supportive wife, Ruth (Ann Blyth), is refusing surgery to treat her potentially deadly cancer, unless Joe can be by her side after the operation. But while Joe is plotting his escape with fellow prisoner Gallagher (Charles Bickford), a violent incident in the prison machine shop causes the entire prison to go into lockdown mode, overseen by the mean-spirited guard Captain Munsey (Hume Cronyn).
Director
Jules Dassin
Producer
Mark Hellinger, Jules Buck
Screenwriter
Richard Brooks
Production Co
Mark Hellinger Productions, Universal International Pictures
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 8, 1947, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 10, 2016
Runtime
1h 38m