The Defiant Ones (1958)

Nominated for 9 Academy Awards:

Best Picture

Best Director: Stanley Kramer

Best Actor: Tony Curtis

Best Actor: Sidney Poitier

Best Supporting Actor: Theodore Bikel

Best Supporting Actress: Cara Williams

Best Original Screenplay (WON)

Best Cinematography, Black-and-White (WON)

Best Editing

 

Tension, adventure and a whole bunch of Oscar nominations. It took me too long to see this film. I guess it’s better known nowadays for Sidney’s achievement of being the first black male actor nominated for an Oscar. A big success back then, the film still holds up. It has a tight story, it’s well directed and edited and you never get bored. I would’ve gone for a different ending, but this one works as well. It’s an engaging film, that doesn’t disappoint, and let’s talk about the actors.

The supporting nominations are a bit of a stretch, but the two leading guys are GREAT. Not a surprise from Sidney, but I didn’t expect Tony Curtis to hold his own, in a very captivating, almost endearing, performance. Good movie.

 

I give it: 9/10

IMDB LINK