Ace in the Hole

1951, Drama, 1h 52m

40 Reviews 5,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Spearheaded by an excellent Kirk Douglas, Ace in the Hole is an incisive and sardonic satire that, much like its opportunistic hero, never lets moral compunction get in the way of a good story. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

With flaws that outweigh his talent, reporter Chuck Tatum (Kirk Douglas) has bounced across the country from job to job. Winding up in New Mexico, Tatum gets work from the local newspaper, but finds that there's not much in the way of pressing news. However, when Tatum catches wind of a treasure hunter (Richard Benedict) trapped in a mineshaft, he turns the story into a media sensation. Soon Tatum is using unscrupulous tactics to draw out the situation, an approach that comes back to haunt him.

Cast & Crew

Kirk Douglas
Charles "Chuck" Tatum
Jan Sterling
Lorraine Minosa
Porter Hall
Jacob Q. Boot
Robert Arthur
Herbie Cook
Frank Cady
Mr. Federber
Richard Benedict
Leo Minosa
Ray Teal
Sheriff
Gene Evans
Deputy Sheriff
Billy Wilder
Director
Walter Newman
Writer
Lesser Samuels
Writer
Billy Wilder
Writer
William Schorr
Associate Producer
Billy Wilder
Producer
Hugo Friedhofer
Original Music
Charles Lang
Cinematographer
Arthur P. Schmidt
Film Editing
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News & Interviews for Ace in the Hole

Know Your Critic: Angelica Jade Bastién, Critic at Vulture/New York Magazine
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Critic Reviews for Ace in the Hole

All Critics (40) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (37) | Rotten (3)
Full Review… Adam Nayman The Ringer Full Review… Roger Ebert RogerEbert.com Full Review… Ruthe Stein San Francisco Chronicle Full Review… Nathan Lee Village Voice Full Review… Dan Fienberg Zap2it.com Full Review… Ed Gonzalez Slant Magazine Full Review… Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies Full Review… Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Full Review… Jay Carmody Washington Star Full Review… Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com Full Review… Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Full Review… David Nusair Reel Film Reviews
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Audience Reviews for Ace in the Hole

  • May 10, 2020
    A legendary filmmaker displaying the absolute best of his skills... an actor demonstrating the depths of his incredible acting abilities... and a topic, the responsibilities of the fourth estate, thoroughly chastized... that's what ACE IN THE HOLE is. A must for film lovers and American citizens.
    Aldo G Super Reviewer
  • Oct 17, 2016
    It's an overlooked, rarely mentioned film, but it's probably Billy Wilder's best, and darkest, satire. Kirk Douglas is outstanding. And the movie is more relevant today than ever. Find it. Watch it.
    Joe S Super Reviewer
  • Jul 25, 2016
    Controversial at the time of its release, and considered a classic today, Ace in the Hole not only benefits from one of Kirk Douglas' best performances, nor from Billy Wilder's exceptional direction, both in terms of performances and visuals. Rather, Ace in the Hole rings so true today because its screenplay remains as relevant today as it did back in 1951. Its commentary on journalism, and the emphasis that we place on stories rather than individual human lives, is effectively unsettling. Furthermore, the amount of subtext that the film has on issues such as feminism, human intimacy, and greed are equally as powerful. Ace in the Hole lives up to its name. It is a timeless masterpiece that should be seen by everyone.
    Joey T Super Reviewer
  • Mar 10, 2016
    A harsher indictment of modern culture might be impossible to find. Even the innocent in this film are bottom-feeding leeches who're no better than stopping traffic so that they can get a selfie of themselves at the scene of the accident. Douglas plays a guy not only aware of this but fully convinced that that's the way it should be. Billy Wilder had a axe to grind and he polishes that bad boy to a mirror sheen here. Not only a film but a humanities class as well.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
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