Shock Corridor

Released Sep 11, 1963

1h 41m

Drama

List

94%

Tomatometer

18 Reviews

82%

Audience Score

2,500+ Ratings

Determined to pull in the Pulitzer Prize, reporter Johnny Barrett (Peter Breck) will go to any length necessary to win the coveted award. When he learns of an unsolved murder committed at a mental institution, Barrett devises a scheme to solve it and earn himself recognition. With the assistance of a psychiatrist and his girlfriend (Constance Towers), Barrett convinces the doctors at the institution to commit him. Once inside, he begins his investigation -- and gradually loses his mind.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

This 1963 film is harsh, grotesque, and violent-and, incidentally, brilliant in a very original way.

Oct 30, 2014

Full Review

Michael J. Casey

Boulder Weekly

Blunt, heavy-handed, and chilling as hell. Even worse, not much has changed since its release 50-plus years ago.

Rated: 4.5/5

Jul 12, 2020

Full Review

Rob Aldam

Backseat Mafia

A hard-hitting and confrontational crime drama.

Aug 28, 2019

Full Review

Daniel Barnes

Dare Daniel

Psycho is a movie about madness; Shock Corridor IS madness.

Rated: 5/5

Apr 12, 2019

Full Review

Christopher Long

Movie Metropolis

And of course there are the nymphos!

Rated: 7/10

Feb 26, 2011

Full Review

Chris Barsanti

PopMatters

[an] electroshocker of a jeremiad which aims to jangle as many nerves as possible in the shortest time available - subtlety be damned.

Rated: 9/10

Feb 1, 2011

Full Review

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nick s

I guessed the ending early in the film, which maybe took the sting out of the tail. Lots of effort went into the physical acting. I did get a liitle bored at the half way mark and struggled to hang in there... didn't care much for all the back stories. There isn't much complexity to the story either. But overall a really good production with some nice artistic flourishes.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/10/24

Full Review

Audience Member

This review contains spoilers. A very interesting dive into America in the 60s. The representation of trauma as a result of racism and segregation and the black man yelling "White Supremacy!" while wearing a pillowcase with the KKK symbol. It's very shocking. Johnny being confident he'll retain his sanity, only to have a schizophrenic breakdown in the end... Tragic. This film has a big critical-political undertone, Fuller makes you think, maybe those who are deemed insane or mute have something to be said. "When we sleep, there's no difference between an insane and a sane man".

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Great Writing. The Confederates story is amazingly interesting and emotionally touching. I really appreciate how this movie is at first an investigative detective story but turns out to be a heavily complex film that critiques America. It's a tiny bit formulaic, and ends kind of exactly how you expect it to but it's still pretty great. There's some amazing shots too.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The best thrilling movie ever made!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

mario g

Eurípides: A quienes Dios quiere destruir, primero los enloquece...¿Tom McGuane?: La mente NO es un boomerang, si la lanzas demasiado lejos, quizás no vuelva.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A basic premise of a reporter going undercover to gain access to potential witnesses goes horribly wrong at a mental institution. With several patients holding unusual ideas which parody (without a laugh track) societal problems. Though only a 'B' movie, this ends up as a foreshadowing of One Flew Over the Cuckoos' Nest.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

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Samuel Fuller

Director

Peter Breck

Johnny Barrett

Constance Towers

Cathy

Gene Evans

Boden

James Best

Stuart

Hari Rhodes

Trent

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Synopsis

Determined to pull in the Pulitzer Prize, reporter Johnny Barrett (Peter Breck) will go to any length necessary to win the coveted award. When he learns of an unsolved murder committed at a mental institution, Barrett devises a scheme to solve it and earn himself recognition. With the assistance of a psychiatrist and his girlfriend (Constance Towers), Barrett convinces the doctors at the institution to commit him. Once inside, he begins his investigation -- and gradually loses his mind.

Director: Samuel Fuller
Screenwriter: Samuel Fuller
Distributor: Allied Artists Pictures
Production Co: F & F Productions, Allied Artists Pictures Corporation
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 11, 1963, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 11, 2017
Runtime: 1h 41m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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