The Big Steal
The Big Steal

Movie spotlight

The Big Steal

1949
Movie
71 min
English

Army Lieutenant Halliday, accused of stealing the Army payroll, pursues the real thief on a frantic chase through Mexico aided by the thief's ex-girlfriend and is in turn being chased by his accuser, Capt. Blake.

Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Director: Don SiegelGenres: Film Noir, Crime, Western

Plot Summary

A U.S. Army lieutenant on the run from a corrupt sergeant must prove his innocence after being framed for the theft of $300,000. He finds himself entangled with a mysterious woman and pursued across the Mexican desert. The chase involves double-crosses, mistaken identities, and a desperate struggle to survive and clear his name.

Critical Reception

The Big Steal was a modest success upon release, appreciated for its brisk pacing and classic noir elements, though it didn't achieve major critical acclaim at the time. It has since gained a cult following among film noir enthusiasts for its taut direction and atmospheric chase sequences.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its lean, energetic direction by Don Siegel.

  • Commended for the compelling chemistry between leads Robert Mitchum and Jane Greer.

  • Noted for its effective chase sequences and tense atmosphere.

Google audience: Audience reviews often highlight the film's suspenseful plot and the gritty performances, particularly from Robert Mitchum, appreciating its straightforward crime thriller elements.

Fun Fact

The film's production was notoriously difficult, with director Don Siegel and star Robert Mitchum often clashing with the studio and dealing with challenging shooting conditions in Mexico.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
Steve

Steve

Noiroftheweek.com ‘The Big Steal’, starring Robert Mitchum and Jane Greer and scripted by Geoffrey Holmes (Daniel Mainwaring) often appears to be best known and least admired for what it isn’t, namely ‘Out of the Past’. The latter, re...