MovieChat Forums > The Big Heat (1953) Discussion > What did you rate ''The Big Heat'' (1953...

What did you rate ''The Big Heat'' (1953)?

posted 15 years ago by J. Spurlin
7 replies | jump to latest

Police sergeant Bannion (Glenn Ford) is a tough cop who steps on too many toes in and out of his corrupt department and finally wages a one-man war against the local crime syndicate, with the Irish Mike Lagana (Alexander Scourby) at the head and Vince Stone (Lee Marvin) as his top lackey. Stone's girl (Gloria Grahame) becomes a martyr to Bannion's cause, while a duplicitous policeman's widow (Jeanette Nolan) is the key to the mob's dirty secrets.

Fritz Lang directed this potent crime thriller in a somewhat flat style, as Martin Scorsese has pointed out, in order to keep us at a certain distance from the action and the main character, whose apparent heroism may hide darker motives that are too dark even for him to see. Roger Ebert wrote a brilliant essay (rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040606/REVIEWS08/ 406060302/1023) on exactly what those motives might be. I can only add how much I enjoyed the crackling dialogue, fascinating plotting and several outstanding performances. Ford is quiet and coiled in the lead. Grahame is a mixture of sexiness, sauciness and unlikely goofiness. Marvin is the cowardly, sadistic lout wielding scalding hot coffee. And Nolan is a consummate actress playing a woman who is a consummate actress, shedding crocodile tears and feigning grief for her unloved husband, who shoots himself moments before she coldly takes advantage of the situation.

My only complaint is with the phony scenes with Bannion's phony wife (Jocelyn Brando, Marlon's sister) and phony young daughter (Linda Bennett, who several times anticipates what she is about to do before she is cued to do it), although the unconvincing sugary happiness may have been another way for Lang to keep us at arm's length.

imdb.com/title/tt0045555/ratings

I rated The Big Heat (1953) 8/10 for the database. What did you rate it? What did you think of it?

...Justin

[–] MovieDude1893 15 years ago

I found Ford so unappealing and uninvolving in the lead role that the rest of the film seemed worse because of his involvement. I think that this was a serviceable noir, containing memorable moments, but the run time felt about twice as long as 90 minutes and the story lacked a compelling through line.
Overall: 6/10

Last Films Seen: Unforgiven {A+}

[–] J. Spurlin 15 years ago

Ford's quiet performance really worked for me. It gave me the impression he was holding down something in himself that could spring out any moment. Have you liked him in anything else? I've seen him in Gilda and 3:10 to Yuma and liked him in both those films as well.

...Justin

[–] MovieDude1893 15 years ago

I am not Ford's biggest fan, although he was good in 3:10 to Yuma. However, it was not Ford that drew me into watching this film. Rather, Fritz Lang was the major selling point for me. In terms of Lang's work, I think "Fury", "Scarlet Street", and especially "M" represent more complete and satisfying films.

Last Films Seen: Unforgiven {A+}

[–] MovieDude1893 15 years ago

I will grant that this film could very well benefit from a second viewing, especially considering the insights within Ebert's essay. Perhaps all I need is a fresh viewing.

Last Films Seen: Unforgiven {A+}

[–] J. Spurlin 15 years ago

And I need to revisit M, a film that has always left me cold. I recently watched Lang's three Mabuse films and Spies, and I've gained a better appreciation for his film-making strategy. His Hollywood films are easy to enjoy, but his German films require adjusting to a different rhythm.

...Justin

[–] King-Grim 14 years ago

My only complaint is with the phony scenes with Bannion's phony wife (Jocelyn Brando, Marlon's sister) and phony young daughter (Linda Bennett, who several times anticipates what she is about to do before she is cued to do it), although the unconvincing sugary happiness may have been another way for Lang to keep us at arm's length.

I thought those scenes were overly sentimental myself, too, but then that happens and it becomes clear why Lang has done that.

"Killing me won't bring back your goddamn honey!"

[–] J. Spurlin 14 years ago

I don't know if it was a cliché in 1953, but now when you see a happy family at the beginning of a thriller, you know they're in for it. (See Death Wish, Burnt Offerings, The Changeling, many, many others.)

...Justin