John Huston's compelling noir finds Sterling Hayden involved in a mastermind diamond heist. A classic of the genre infused with gritty realism, the film also features a young Marilyn Monroe.
This has to be one of the greatest crime films ever made. The movie has its roots in several great film noir projects, such as "Double Indemnity", "The Killers", "Criss Cross", and "Out of the Past". Its lasting impression over time is based upon its quality and its unprecedented brilliant use of the "caper" as a plot device. This film noir's influence can be seen in hundreds of disparate "caper" movies "Rififi", "A Simple Plan", "The Guns of Navarone", "The Usual Suspects", and "How to Steal a Million", just to name a few.
The film is truly superior in how it explores relationships and deception. This is one of John Huston's greatest works, and the script lays down the tension from the first moment and doesn't let up. Huston uses multiple close ups to literally drain the emotion out of the characters but Sam Jaffe steals the film in an Oscar-worthy performance.
classic crime