Timeworn Joe Collins and his fellow inmates live under the heavy thumb of the sadistic, power-tripping guard Captain Munsey. Only Collins' dreams of escape keep him going, but how can he possibly bust out of Munsey's chains?
Directed by Jules Dassin
prison cell
prison guard
film noir
black and white
prison riot
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.8 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
Burt Lancaster
Joe Collins
Hume Cronyn
Capt. Munsey
Charles Bickford
Gallagher
Yvonne De Carlo
Gina Ferrara
Ann Blyth
Ruth
Ella Raines
Cora Lister
Anita Colby
Flossie
Sam Levene
Louie Miller #7033
Jeff Corey
'Freshman' Stack
John Hoyt
Spencer
Jack Overman
Kid Coy
Roman Bohnen
Warden A.J. Barnes
Crew
Jules Dassin
Director
Richard Brooks
Screenplay
Miklós Rózsa
Original Music Composer
William H. Daniels
Director of Photography
Bud Westmore
Makeup Artist
John DeCuir
Art Direction
Popular Reviews
58 reviews
Portoroghi
8.0★ · 02/01/26
I really enjoyed the prison cinematography with the noir style. I also really loved the artistic symbolism of the female that follows specific flashbacks.
I really enjoyed the prison cinematography with the noir style. I also really loved the artistic symbolism of the female that follows specific flashbacks.
Portoroghi
8.0★ · 02/01/26
I really enjoyed the prison cinematography with the noir style. I also really loved the artistic symbolism of the female that follows specific flashbacks.
I really enjoyed the prison cinematography with the noir style. I also really loved the artistic symbolism of the female that follows specific flashbacks.
Portoroghi
8.0★ · 02/01/26
I really enjoyed the prison cinematography with the noir style. I also really loved the artistic symbolism of the female that follows specific flashbacks.
I really enjoyed the prison cinematography with the noir style. I also really loved the artistic symbolism of the female that follows specific flashbacks.
christy
8.0★ · 09/11/25
Great performances, great film
Great performances, great film
Tommydog
9.1★ · 08/20/25
Another early morning can’t sleep noir watches. This was a certified banger and really reminded me of Inglorious Bastards. The warden’s hand really reminded me of Hans from Bastards in the way he throws around power and acts like a sophisticate. This was made back in the fourties’ but has moral qualms with the prison industrial complex which was pretty surprising and modern. I loved too how the prisoners saw the lady as their past and or future girl from the outside. This was a surprising and nihilistic movie that made me gasp many times to twists and reveals. It really does deserve the name Brute Force.
Another early morning can’t sleep noir watches. This was a certified banger and really reminded me of Inglorious Bastards. The warden’s hand really reminded me of Hans from Bastards in the way he throws around power and acts like a sophisticate. This was made back in the fourties’ but has moral qualms with the prison industrial complex which was pretty surprising and modern. I loved too how the prisoners saw the lady as their past and or future girl from the outside. This was a surprising and nihilistic movie that made me gasp many times to twists and reveals. It really does deserve the name Brute Force.
