Barnes & Noble

The pinnacle of German director Fritz Lang's long-underrated American work, The Big Heat is as intense and bleak a film as has ever come out of the Hollywood system. The brutal tale begins with a police officer's apparent suicide. Sergeant Bannion (Glenn Ford) is assigned to investigate, and the depth of corruption he uncovers is staggering. Mob bosses socialize with cops and high-ranking politicians; everyone, it seems, is on the take. Incorruptible, Bannion pushes on, but when he gets too close to the answer, his family must pay the ultimate price. Lang's control over his drama is impeccable, and the film moves toward its grim climax with a relentless, clockwork efficiency. The Big Heat also features a superb supporting cast. Lee Marvin shines in his chilling portrayal of a malevolent psychopath who, at one point, splashes a pot of scalding coffee over his girlfriend's face. And the luminous Gloria Grahame brings a touching vulnerability to her role as a reformed gangster's moll. Donald Gray

All Movie Guide

Fritz Lang directed this gritty drama of gangland murder and police corruption, which was considered quite violent in its day. Dave Bannion (Glenn Ford) is a scrupulously honest police detective who learns that one of his fellow officers has committed suicide. Bannion is told by the officer's wife, Bertha (Jeanette Nolan), that he was severely depressed after being told he was diagnosed with a terminal illness. But the cop's mistress, a barmaid named Lucy (Dorothy Green), has another tale to tell. She claims that he left behind a suicide note detailing a complex trail of corruption in the department, leading to mob boss Mike Lagana (Alexander Scourby), and now Bertha plans to use the note to blackmail Lagana. When Lucy is found dead beside an abandoned road, with her body showing obvious signs of torture, Bannion is convinced that her story was true, and he goes after Lagana. When he threatens to expose Lagana's dealings, the gangster orders Bannion killed. But the car bomb meant to finish Bannion off instead kills his wife Katie (Jocelyn Brando). The police take Bannion off the case, but, convinced his peers are trying to cover their tracks, Bannion follows the case alone, determined to get revenge. Lee Marvin and Gloria Grahame shine in key supporting roles. Mark Deming

Product Details

• UPC: 043396065321
• Source: SONY PICTURES
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Pre-1954 Standard (1.33.1)
• Presentation: B&W
• Sound: Dolby Digital, monaural
• Language: English, Français
• Subtitles: English, Français, Español, Portugais, Korean, Thai
• Time: 1:29:00
• Sales Rank: 7,211

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• Columbia Pictures Film Noir Classics, Vol. 1

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