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Slideshow

  • A group of men stand around Burt Lancaster, who is smoking a cigarette and has his shirt unbuttoned.
  • Actor Burt Lancaster sits next to another man in church pews.
  • Actor Burt Lancaster sits in profile in a dark prison cell.
  • Actor Burt Lancaster and a woman holds each other's arms.
PREVIOUSLY PLAYED

BRUTE FORCE

12:30

Sunday, August 4

(1947, Jules Dassin) In a prison so brutal that top guard Hume Cronyn conducts his seemingly routine prisoner beatings shirtless with Wagner on the turntable, rebellious Burt Lancaster is itching to make that big breakout, even as he has to deal with the obligatory psychopath, railroaded honest guy, squealer, etc.; but one of Hollywood’s grimmest climaxes looms ahead. 35mm. Approx. 98 min.

Reviews

“One of Dassin’s best films.”
 – Tom Milne, Time Out

“Jules Dassin's steel-springed direction keeps the whole thing appropriately taut.”
– Bosley Crowther, The New York Times

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