Movie spotlight
Convicted of manslaughter for a drunken driving accident, Kent Marlowe is sent to prison, where he meets vicious incarcerated figures who are planning an escape from the brutal conditions.
Kent Durkee, a charming but naive young man, is sent to a harsh, corrupt prison for illegal liquor possession. Inside, he falls under the influence of two inmates: the ruthless Butch, and the more decent Jerry. As Kent navigates the brutal realities of prison life, he becomes entangled in a dangerous power struggle and a love triangle, ultimately leading to a violent climax.
The Big House was a groundbreaking film for its time, praised for its gritty realism and unflinching depiction of prison life. It was a commercial success and received critical acclaim for its direction, performances, and its bold exploration of themes like corruption and the dehumanizing effects of incarceration. It was nominated for several Academy Awards.
Praised for its raw and realistic portrayal of prison brutality.
Lauded for its strong performances, particularly from Robert Montgomery and Chester Morris.
Considered a significant early example of the prison film genre.
Google audience: Audience reception information from Google is not readily available for films of this era.
Nominated for Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Actor (Chester Morris), Best Writing, and Best Sound Recording.
The film's realistic depiction of prison violence was controversial and led to debates about censorship in Hollywood.
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This is one of my favourite early examples of the dog-eat-dog world in prison as the young “Marlowe” (Robert Montgomery) is sent down for a decade after a road accident led to a fatality. Not surprisingly, he’s as anxious as hell - not leas...