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Shock Corridor

Play trailer Poster for Shock Corridor Released Sep 11, 1963 1h 41m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 18 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 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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Shock Corridor

Critics Reviews

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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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Marmot M This movie reminds me of the quote from Oscar Wilde, something to the effect that life is too important to take seriously. I think this is a fantastically funny film if you look at it with the right frame of mind. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/30/24 Full Review Zackary T Brilliant film and criminally under discussed and known Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/02/24 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
Shock Corridor

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Cast & Crew

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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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Shock Corridor

Shock Corridor (1963) Shock Corridor (1963) Shock Corridor (1963) Shock Corridor (1963) View more photos

Movie Info

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
Producer
Sam Firks, Leon Fromkess, 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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