The Big Heat (1953)

Sadly Over-hyped

Memorable, crazy movie

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

In some ways, 'The Big Heat (1953)' seems lighter than the usual film noir fare, making less use of hard shadows or heavy narration and generally avoiding many of the cues the genre tends to evoke. Yet, the story itself never shies away from its darker elements and in general is a rather brooding, unflinching tale of political corruption and the quest for revenge. There are a number of twists and turns that genuinely manage to surprise, the feature takes several risks with convention and the portrayal of violence - considering the era in which it was created - and the lead character's tough cop persona is believable enough to not just be a one-note facade but rather another dimension to his personality. In the end, this piece is a shining example that so many others would aspire to follow. 7/10

The Big Heat is the best film of Fritz Lang's so called "American period" and also one of the greatest of all Film Noir. By this point in his career, Lang had made directing Noir something of a specialty of his, but his other forays into the genre - before and after - pale in comparison.One of the very first "rogue cop on the loose" films, The Big Heat sees Glenn Ford's Det. Bannion face off against the mob and the corrupt police officials and politicians in their pocket. The narrative doesn't pull any punches: people are mercilessly killed off and one is horrifically scarred by the film's main villain, psychotic mob enforcer Vince Stone (Lee Marvin in his breakout role), for getting too close to Bannion. Sydney Boehm's script and Lang's direction are efficient, refraining from any superfluous elements, giving every scene a sense of purpose that keeps the film exciting from the first minute to the last.The people in front of the camera are also at the top of their game. Glenn Ford gives one of his best performances, giving his character just enough fury and righteous indignation to make him dangerous to anyone who gets in his way without turning the audience against him. Marvin makes Stone one of the great film noir villains, a man with a volcanic temper that can erupt at any moment.Gloria Grahame puts them both to shame however as Stone's girlfriend who becomes a victim to his rage. It's an intense performance as she transitions from a frivolous mob girlfriend into a woman out for vengeance. The supporting cast is also excellent, particularity Jocelyn Brando (Marlon's older sister) whose charmingly witty performance keeps her character from being a mere throw-away role to motivate the protagonist.All in all, few films can match the raw energy and intensity found in The Big Heat. From the director on down to the bit parts, everybody turns in grade A+ work. One of the best examples of Film Noir, I highly recommend it for anyone interested in crime films or classic cinema.

THE BIG HEAT is extremely brutal thriller, full of violence and inverted noir clichés. This is a film about organized crime in the big city. Corruption, bribery and crime against the integrity and professionalism of an ordinary man - a police officer. One against all the unrealistic ratio, but this is exactly the segment in the film which brings the most excitement and tension. A lonely and rejected protagonist, driven by personal motives do not care about the laws and rules in the fight against organized crime. The main character is a police detective who investigates the death of a colleague suspected of corruption and to him, during the investigation, wife killed in a blast bomb. The story shows how his superiors then deducted the case, but he nevertheless, driven by the desire for revenge, is continuing its investigation that will lead to a fatal girlfriend of one of the gangsters and the final settlement.In this film has a lot of bad guys, so that an honest and professional police officer, who tried to live a more peaceful family life, sure to attract attention. Violence and brutality fit into the noir atmosphere. The concept of the femme fatale is little changed. Everything is packaged very well, so that some gaps in the script practically no sense.Characterization is quite good. Glenn Ford as Det. Sgt. Dave Bannion is angry, cold and vindictive detective. With good reason of course, though he is the hero of this film. Gloria Grahame as Debby Marsh is atypical femme fatale, who eventually played the most important role. Lee Marvin as Vince Stone He is the harsh and violent criminal who still lives in the shadow of his big boss. Alexander Scourby as Mike Lagana is the big boss who did not leave a distinct impression of villain. Jeanette Nolan as Bertha Duncan is perhaps the biggest villain in this film. The widow full of malice and envy. Jocelyn Brando as Katie Bannion It is positive and smiling housewife. She is the reason.It's roasting. This is one of those thrillers that we see in one breath.

First-rate film noir with a terrific cast and great director in Fritz Lang. Glenn Ford plays a cop who is asking too many questions. He's warned to stop by gangsters and his corrupt superiors. When he doesn't, they kill his wife! After this, Ford snaps and sets out to bring the bad guys to justice no matter what. Obviously this sort of material has been handled many times in the decades since and in much more violent and graphic fashion than could be allowed in 1953. But I still feel the grit and emotion in this classic hold up well today. The coffee scene still packs a punch.Glenn Ford gives one of his best performances in this film. Some memorable support from an up & coming Lee Marvin and especially Gloria Grahame in perhaps the best acting job of her career. I mean, she'll always be Violet Bick to me, but this is a much more challenging role. This is a bona fide classic everybody should see at least once. A powerful example of film noir. Great direction, acting, writing. An excellent film.