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Brute Force (1947)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
30 June 1947 (USA)
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Tagline:
Mark Hellinger's POWER PACKED PICTURE! (re-release print ad - mostly caps) more
Plot:
At a tough penitentiary, prisoner Joe Collins plans to rebel against Captain Munsey, the power-mad chief guard. full summary | full synopsis
NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
Spring Preview: A Repertory Calendar for the Coasts
(From IFC. 18 February 2009, 2:17 PM, PST)
Dassin, Hershfeld To Show Early Work
(From Studio Briefing - Film News. 11 October 2001)
(From IFC. 18 February 2009, 2:17 PM, PST)
Dassin, Hershfeld To Show Early Work
(From Studio Briefing - Film News. 11 October 2001)
User Comments:
Brute Force is a knockout!
more (39 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Burt Lancaster | ... | Joe Collins |
 | Hume Cronyn | ... | Capt. Munsey |
 | Charles Bickford | ... | Gallagher |
 | Yvonne De Carlo | ... | Gina Ferrara |
| Ann Blyth | ... | Ruth |
 | Ella Raines | ... | Cora Lister |
| Anita Colby | ... | Flossie |
| Sam Levene | ... | Louie Miller #7033 |
| Jeff Corey | ... | 'Freshman' Stack |
| John Hoyt | ... | Spencer |
| Jack Overman | ... | Kid Coy |
| Roman Bohnen | ... | Warden A.J. Barnes |
| Sir Lancelot | ... | Calypso |
| Vince Barnett | ... | Muggsy |
| Jay C. Flippen | ... | Hodges (guard) |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
98 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)
Certification:
Norway:16 |
UK:A (cut) (original rating) |
West Germany:16 (nf) |
USA:Approved (PCA #12441) |
Finland:K-16 |
Australia:PG
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
When Munsey is beating the reporter for information on the escape, he plays the overture to Wagner's "Tannheuser". Perhaps a reference to Hitler's love of Wagner.
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Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: During the fight in the guard tower between Munsey and Collins, guard Tom seems to have been killed, but the stunt actor Tom Steele who plays him is very clearly doubling Hume Cronyn.
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Quotes:
Robert 'Soldier' Becker:
But you know how the breaks go. With me, one rap lead to another. Anyway, I was never able to make it. Maybe this time.
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Movie Connections:
Features The Egg and I (1947)
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (39 total)
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| News articles | IMDb Crime section | IMDb USA section |
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I've read recent reviews of this film that condemn it for being "outdated" or not "relevant". Um, hello? This movie is is fifty-seven years old! As such, we are treated to typical 1940s Hollywood stereotypes and acting methods, not to mention references to the recently completed war. Yet, even within the pitfalls of the studio system, this film shines as a great example of film noir.
Director Jules Dassin is brilliant with light, and sets the example for the French "new wave" of cinema. Lighting Burt Lancaster from the side, or from underneath, makes him and the other actors look almost surreal.
Most of the dialogue is "clipped" and preposterous, but films from this era often suffer from this same problem. Yet "Brute Force" retains its original power simply by virtue of the dynamite performances, the stirring score, and the gritty techniques of Dassin.
I had to smile during the scene where Hume Cronyn's character turns up the Wagner on his hi-fi so the guards outside his door won't hear the inmate he's about to beat scream. This was mimicked during David Lynch's ground-breaking TV series "Twin Peaks" when a character turned up his radio before he beat his wife. Of course beating people isn't funny, but seeing obvious references in cinema is always a kick.
I highly recommend "Brute Force" to anyone who appreciates the art of film, great directing, and fine performances.