The Defiant Ones

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The Defiant Ones

Released Sep 27, 1958

1h 37m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

58 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

In 1950s America, members of a chain gang are being transported through the South when their truck crashes. Two of the convicts, John Joker Jackson (Tony Curtis) and Noah Cullen (Sidney Poitier), who are chained together, find an opportunity to escape. Jackson is white, Cullen is black and, at first, the men appear to be opposites in every way. But as they flee across the country, the two form a deep bond. A female landowner leads Jackson to make a difficult decision about his own freedom.

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Critics Consensus

An advocacy drama that makes its points without belaboring them, The Defiant Ones relies on its clever concept and brilliant performances to repudiate racial prejudice.

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Jonas Mekas

Village Voice

One can feel that Kramer, instead of letting the idea grow from an inner necessity, started with a cliche: "Now I am going to make a social film."

Apr 20, 2022

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Mildred Martin

Philadelphia Inquirer

The Defiant Ones is a film no one with mind or heart is likely to forget in a long, long time.

Jan 30, 2021

Full Review

Kim Newman

Empire Magazine

This Stanley Kramer messageathon plays better as a high-concept thriller than a statement about race relations or the human condition.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 30, 2021

Full Review

James Baldwin

The Devil Finds Work

No one, clearly, was able to foresee what Poitier would do with his role -- nor was anyone, thereafter, able to undo it -- and his performance, which lends the film its only real distinction, also, paradoxically, smashes it to pieces.

May 1, 2024

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Jet Staff

Jet Magazine

In his attempt to keep from making the movie a maudlin mess, Kramer has indeed made The Defiant Ones Hollywood’s best message film ever.

Jan 16, 2024

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Moira Walsh

The Catholic World

Kramer has given the story the kind of stark production it needed and especially has obtained heightened realistic effects through the calculated omission of background music.

Aug 24, 2023

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jacob c

A very smart, socially conscious film.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/13/25

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David S

What a great movie and quite an excellent idea at such a critical time in our countries history to put this film into circulation! Two great performances highlight this classic!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/06/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Curtis & Poitier give outstanding performances in The Defiant Ones, and the supporting cast is stellar as well. The remakes don't hold a candle to the 1958 original. WHERE TO WATCH?: As of July 2024, the original & its poorly done remake are both available on the Tubi app (for free).

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/13/24

Full Review

Leaburn O

Picks up in the second half with a decent ending. Shame the first half was awash with so much forced moralising. Some of the characters were cartoonish but there's enough in the plot to keep it just on tracks. Watched on Amazon Prime

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/28/24

Full Review

Georgan G

Really, really great acting makes this movie work. Poitier and Curtis kept my interest from start to finish. Clever plot with the main theme of interracial relationships.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/14/23

Full Review

Nizar N

Rarely do you find a movie that focuses on the social aspect that much while also having an entertaining plot and suspense. Sidney Poitier and Tony Curtis give moving performances, in addition to Stanley Kramer's magic. The Defiant Ones is a masterpiece.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/18/23

Full Review

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Stanley Kramer

Director

Tony Curtis

John "Joker" Jackson

Sidney Poitier

Noah Cullen

Theodore Bikel

Sheriff Max Muller

Charles McGraw

Capt. Frank Gibbons

Cara Williams

Billy's Mother

The Defiant Ones: Official Clip - Chasing the Train

2:59

The Defiant Ones: Official Clip - Afraid of Catching My Color?

2:59

The Defiant Ones: Official Clip - You Don't Even Know My Name

2:48

The Defiant Ones: Official Clip - You Can't Go Lynching Me, I'm a White Man

3:57

The Defiant Ones: Official Clip - Trapped in the Quarry

3:22

The Defiant Ones: Official Clip - I Been Mad All My Natural Life

1:54

The Defiant Ones: Official Clip - I'm Lettin Ya Loose

2:19

The Defiant Ones: Official Clip - North vs. South

2:54

The Defiant Ones: Official Clip - Words That Stick Like Needles

2:38

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Synopsis

In 1950s America, members of a chain gang are being transported through the South when their truck crashes. Two of the convicts, John Joker Jackson (Tony Curtis) and Noah Cullen (Sidney Poitier), who are chained together, find an opportunity to escape. Jackson is white, Cullen is black and, at first, the men appear to be opposites in every way. But as they flee across the country, the two form a deep bond. A female landowner leads Jackson to make a difficult decision about his own freedom.

Director: Stanley Kramer
Producer: Stanley Kramer
Screenwriter: Harold Jacob Smith
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: Stanley Kramer Company
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 27, 1958, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Runtime: 1h 37m

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