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Movies / On DVD / The Big Combo
The Big Combo

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The Big Combo (1955)

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92 %
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Reviews Counted:12

Fresh:11

Rotten:1

Average Rating:7/10

Runtime: 89 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Shocking cruelty and explosive performances by Wilde and Conte make this a favorite of film-noir cultists. The plot revolves around Wilde's determination to smash the rackets with the help of the... Shocking cruelty and explosive performances by Wilde and Conte make this a favorite of film-noir cultists. The plot revolves around Wilde's determination to smash the rackets with the help of the gang boss' ex-girlfriend. As in this outing, director Lewis's deft use of low budgets made him a critical favorite. [More]

Starring: Cornel Wilde, Richard Conte, Jean Wallace, Brian Donlevy

Starring: Cornel Wilde, Richard Conte, Jean Wallace, Brian Donlevy, Robert Middleton, Lee Van Cleef, Earl Holliman, Helen Walker, Jay Adler, John Hoyt

Director: Joseph H. Lewis

Director: Joseph H. Lewis
Screenwriter: Philip Yordan
Producer: Sidney Harmon
Composer: David Raskin

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Feb 1, 2000

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Raw and violent, steeped in the film noir tradition, this cult classic ventures into the seamy gangster underworld, oozing with seediness and low-life characters. Far ahead of its time, "The Big Combo" takes a dark, disturbing look at the battle between Leonard Diamond (Cornel Wilde), a good cop, and Mr. Brown (Richard Conte), a sadistic crime boss--and the cool blonde who gets caught in the middle (Jean Wallace, married to Wilde in real life at the time). With the help of the gangster's ex-girlfriend, Diamond is determined to bring down the cunning gangland kingpin. But the gangsters are ruthless. They savagely pummel Diamond and conduct gut-wrenchingly brutal acts of torture that were unusual on screen at the time of the film's release.
  • Source: Image Entertainment, Inc.
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    Reviews for The Big Combo

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    1 - 12 (sorted by date)
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    A pond of shifting alliances and kinks

    Full Review Source: CinePassion | comment Comment
    10/17/09
    Fernando F. Croce
    Fernando F. Croce
    CinePassion

    A fatalistic symphony of light and shade.

    Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
    01/25/08
    TV Guide's Movie Guide

    It is done with grim melodramatics that are hard-hitting despite a rambling, not-too-credible plot, and is cut out to order for the meller fan who likes his action rough and raw.

    Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
    01/25/08
    Variety Staff
    Variety Staff
    Variety
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Where the usual noir takes place in a nightmare world, this one seems to inhabit a dream: there's no longer fear in the images, but rather a distanced, idealized beauty.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
    01/25/08
    Dave Kehr
    Dave Kehr
    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Brilliant mix of genuine mystery, film noir, and creative visuals.

    Full Review Source: Classic Film and Television | comment Comment
    08/09/07
    Michael E. Grost
    Michael E. Grost
    Classic Film and Television

    A sputtering, misguided antique.

    Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
    08/08/06
    Howard Thompson
    Howard Thompson
    New York Times
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Shadows and lies are the stars of The Big Combo, a spellbinding black-and-white chiaroscuro with the segmented texture of a spider's web.

    Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment Comment
    05/01/06
    Ed Gonzalez
    Ed Gonzalez
    Slant Magazine

    Terrific gangster movie.

    Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
    02/09/06
    Tom Milne
    Tom Milne
    Time Out

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    06/19/05
    Emanuel Levy
    Emanuel Levy
    EmanuelLevy.Com

    Strong noir with sadistic flashes

    comment Comment
    06/13/05
    Daniel Eagan
    Daniel Eagan
    Film Journal International

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    10/17/03
    Carol Cling
    Carol Cling
    Las Vegas Review-Journal

    Conte is convincing as the maniacal hood, while Wilde is a good counter-balance to Conte.

    Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
    08/15/01
    Dennis Schwartz
    Dennis Schwartz
    Ozus' World Movie Reviews
     
     
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