THE BIG HEAT

My bible for any film of this era ("The Sunday Times Guide to Movies on TV") is surprisingly lukewarm about this 1953 crime film directed by Fritz Lang, not liking the 'gratuitous violence'.

Well, a lot of blood has flowed since that review was written.  Sure, there are a couple of moments here of shocking violence, but they are integral to the story.

And what a taut, well-plotted story it is, more than capably performed and directed, with not a moment wasted.

Glenn Ford is fine as an honest homicide detective, trying to do his job despite the corruption all around him.  He eventually triumphs, but at a huge personal cost, and only with the help of the splendid Gloria Grahame, as a gangster's moll.  The gangster in question is the psychopathic Lee Marvin, having a whale of a time.

Unusually for a film of this period it seems that Ford's happy relationship with his wife might extend to the bedroom as well as the kitchen and living room, or maybe I am reading too much into a couple of remarks.

Anyhow it's all great.  My only gripe, a minor one, is that maybe the ending is just a little too upbeat, given all that has passed before.

RATING: ✓ If You've Nothing Better To Do