I didn't expect to like this 'tortured soul' story as much as I did. Sure the acting was a little bit over the top at times - yeah, you, Hoff! - and the writer surely was a Shakespeare fanboy, but I felt moved all the same. Two hours of shouting, drinking and mouthing off in a single living room and it never got boring.
This is a B movie and once you start to think it that way it's actually pretty good. There's an excellent cast (although I don't care much for Jack Palance), there's great score, overacting and even the camera and operator's shadow on the wall at 47:01.
Ugh, what a bloated, overblown mess. Dripping with self-importance, the film soon collapses under the weight of its delusions of grandeur. The dialogue is hilariously awful, and Steiger (as "the evil producer") comes across like a poor man's Brando. If it wasn't so deadly dull, it could've been mildly entertaining in a so-bad-it's-good kinda way. Worst of the noirs I've seen yet.
To my surprise apparently everybody hates this? It's not a noir-- that's true-- it's a self-important melodrama. But the dialogue is juicy and the performances are a lot of fun. It's got a theatrical feel yet it doesn't seem like filmed theatre. Aldrich cinematic sensibilities are too strong. Overall it's got great moments. Could've been a bit shorter. Still-- I'd recommend it.
the title sounds very noir, and some of the plot falls into a lonely place. But none of the dialogue rings true at all and it all feels like an actor's showcase on a very stilted stage. very disappointing. I should have read the comments here beforehand.
Masquerading as a film-noir this movie has got plenty of campy, melodramatic dialogue and hammy acting. The threadbare plot also makes for a tedious experience. This is commonly regarded as a misfire, and justly so.
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Comments 1 - 9 of 9
Vinsmid
I didn't expect to like this 'tortured soul' story as much as I did. Sure the acting was a little bit over the top at times - yeah, you, Hoff! - and the writer surely was a Shakespeare fanboy, but I felt moved all the same. Two hours of shouting, drinking and mouthing off in a single living room and it never got boring.FilmWalrus
Youtube, 720p, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9zaIeydzXE&ab_channel=cineufscCamille Deadpan
This is a B movie and once you start to think it that way it's actually pretty good. There's an excellent cast (although I don't care much for Jack Palance), there's great score, overacting and even the camera and operator's shadow on the wall at 47:01.Duke of Omnium
Overwrought, overacted lukewarm denunciation of Hollywood depravity. Adapted from a play, and like most such films, has a very stagebound feel. Ultimately, it's not really film noir, nor is it an exposé, nor is it all that good.MrE2Me
Ugh, what a bloated, overblown mess. Dripping with self-importance, the film soon collapses under the weight of its delusions of grandeur. The dialogue is hilariously awful, and Steiger (as "the evil producer") comes across like a poor man's Brando. If it wasn't so deadly dull, it could've been mildly entertaining in a so-bad-it's-good kinda way. Worst of the noirs I've seen yet.ucuruju
To my surprise apparently everybody hates this? It's not a noir-- that's true-- it's a self-important melodrama. But the dialogue is juicy and the performances are a lot of fun. It's got a theatrical feel yet it doesn't seem like filmed theatre. Aldrich cinematic sensibilities are too strong. Overall it's got great moments. Could've been a bit shorter. Still-- I'd recommend it.brokenface
the title sounds very noir, and some of the plot falls into a lonely place. But none of the dialogue rings true at all and it all feels like an actor's showcase on a very stilted stage. very disappointing. I should have read the comments here beforehand.auxt
Amazing this turd is "Highly Recommended" on the TSPDT: noir list. The Big Knife is as enjoyable as seppuku.AVOID.
monty
Masquerading as a film-noir this movie has got plenty of campy, melodramatic dialogue and hammy acting. The threadbare plot also makes for a tedious experience. This is commonly regarded as a misfire, and justly so.