Thieves' Highway (1949)
Genre: Filmnoir / Thriller
Duration: 94 minuten
Alternative title: Collision
Country:
United States
Directed by: Jules Dassin
Stars: Richard Conte, Valentina Cortese and Lee J. Cobb
IMDb score:
7,5 (7.456)
Releasedate: 20 September 1949
This movie is not available on US streaming services.
Thieves' Highway plot
"You Need a Friend, Strong Man, - And I'm Friendly!"
When Nick Garcos returns from the World War II front, he finds his father, a truck driver, paralyzed in both legs after a fight with another trucker. He puts his wedding plans aside to focus entirely on his self-imposed task of avenging his father. As a result, he gets further and further from the right path.
Actors and actresses
Nick Garcos
Rica
Mike Figlia
Polly Faber
Slob
Ed Kinney
Pete
Yanko Garcos
Parthena Garcos
Mrs. Polansky
Reviews & comments
MNV2
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- 6932 messages
- 1901 votes
I can understand the comparison with They Drive by Night, since the story in that film is similar to the first forty-five minutes of They Drive by Night, while the second part of that film is completely different. Incidentally, I also preferred Thieve's Highway to the classic Bogart film, partly because the story doesn't take such a strange turn in the middle. I even find this film somewhat underrated, since the story is still exciting and quite well-crafted by Dassin.
The biggest flaw in this film is likely the cast, and especially Richard Conte, who delivers a rather unmemorable lead performance. Not necessarily a bad performance, but the man simply doesn't deliver a performance that stands out from other actors, like Humphrey Bogart and James Cagney, for example. Valentina Cortese gave a decent performance, and the same can be said for the various supporting roles. Only Lee J. Cobb, in my opinion, gave a brilliant performance as the con man Figlia; he's amazing at how he constantly tries to talk himself out of it. Just like in They Drive by Night, you see here what a dangerous profession truck driving is: the struggle with sleep, the risks, the scammers... okay, it's all a bit exaggerated here, of course, but still... The scenes on the road aren't always successful; there are a few fake shots (the sped-up footage of the truck driving down a hill didn't really work realistically).
A thrilling, beautifully crafted film noir that certainly builds on successes like They Drive by Night and some Hitchcock classics, but does so remarkably well. Highly recommended.
4.0 stars
Translated from Dutch · View original
mister blonde
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- 12709 messages
- 5849 votes
Dassin certainly knows how to tell a story. That much was clear to me from the first film I saw of his (unbelievable, really), and it's the strength of Thieves Highway. The story's structure and narrative are incredibly strong.
The film has many aspects of film noir, yet I would never classify it as one. It never feels like a film noir, and too many elements are missing. Despite the strong plot, the main character again makes a number of rather foolish decisions (or at least takes a lot of risks with almost everything he does). That's a genre element that's quite easy to spot. He does take the pressure off a bit by mentioning it himself a few times.
Dassin's greatest achievement is making the sale of apples as exciting as the trade in nuclear weapons. Dassin makes you practically boo at the screen when you see Lee J. Cobb. Another risky move by Conte sends you back 60 years in time, screaming "Don't do that!" Long story short, Dassin tells the story so effectively that it grips you and holds you until the very end.
4 stars for craftsmanship. I'm curious to see more from him, and Rififi is already ready, of course.
Translated from Dutch · View original
scorsese
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- 13239 messages
- 11129 votes
A decent film about a soldier who returns from war and finds his father disabled. An excellent first half with plenty going on. However, when the femme fatale appears on screen, it sometimes sags a bit. Two excellent performances by Richard Conte and Lee J. Cobb. Just shy of 3.5 stars.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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