You Only Live Once backdrop
You Only Live Once logo
1937·Crime·1h 26m
7.1
Based partially on the story of Bonnie and Clyde, Eddie Taylor is an ex-convict who cannot get a break after being released from prison. When he is framed for murder, Taylor is forced to flee with his wife Joan Graham and baby. While escaping prison after being sentenced to death, Taylor becomes a real murderer, condemning himself and Joan to a life of crime and death on the road.
Directed by Fritz Lang
based on true story
film noir
ex-con
wrongful conviction
on the lam

Cast

Sylvia Sidney
Sylvia Sidney
Joan Graham
Henry Fonda
Henry Fonda
Eddie Taylor
Barton MacLane
Barton MacLane
Stephen Whitney
Jean Dixon
Jean Dixon
Bonnie Graham
William Gargan
William Gargan
Father Dolan
Jerome Cowan
Jerome Cowan
Dr. Hill
Charles 'Chic' Sale
Charles 'Chic' Sale
Ethan
Margaret Hamilton
Margaret Hamilton
Hester
Warren Hymer
Warren Hymer
Buggsy
Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams
Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams
Rogers
John Wray
John Wray
Warden Wheeler
Ward Bond
Ward Bond
Casey - Guard (uncredited)

Crew

Fritz Lang
Fritz Lang
Director
Alfred Newman
Alfred Newman
Original Music Composer
Daniel Mandell
Daniel Mandell
Editor
Leon Shamroy
Leon Shamroy
Director of Photography
Frank Hagney
Frank Hagney
Stunts
Alfred Newman
Alfred Newman
Music Director
Chuck Hamilton
Chuck Hamilton
Stunts
Hugo Friedhofer
Hugo Friedhofer
Additional Music
Isabelle Sheridan
Isabelle Sheridan
Stand In

Popular Reviews

45 reviews
Gloria
Gloria
You Only Live Once
I was quite bored
I was quite bored
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annie
annie
You Only Live Once
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
"anywhere's our home. in the car, out on that cold star, anywhere's our home"

girl why did you stay with him?!???
2026 ranked ⋆‧°𓏲ּ𝄢
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
"anywhere's our home. in the car, out on that cold star, anywhere's our home"

girl why did you stay with him?!???
2026 ranked ⋆‧°𓏲ּ𝄢
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
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Erik Olsson
Erik Olsson
You Only Live Once
Between this and Fury, it's very apparent how fascinated Lang was in his early American films with the tragically ironic Kafkaesque self-fulfilling prophecies of the United States justice system and the normal flawed people that get sucked up into the wheels of it.
Between this and Fury, it's very apparent how fascinated Lang was in his early American films with the tragically ironic Kafkaesque self-fulfilling prophecies of the United States justice system and the normal flawed people that get sucked up into the wheels of it.
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Max
Max
You Only Live Once
Fritz Lang ahead of the game as usual but needed way more Sylvia Sidney </3
Fritz Lang ahead of the game as usual but needed way more Sylvia Sidney </3
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Bryce
Bryce
You Only Live Once
You Only Live Once is a great take on the justic system and how Convicts were affected by it. Due to the Limitations placed on films at the time all Criminals no matter good or evil had to get justice, but the ending really leaves the auidence on a good note. Though Joan and Eddie get mortal "justice" they are going to heaven. They were dealt bad hands all throughout life, but their struggles have now turned into eternal salvation great ending and a way to subvert the Codes rules.
You Only Live Once is a great take on the justic system and how Convicts were affected by it. Due to the Limitations placed on films at the time all Criminals no matter good or evil had to get justice, but the ending really leaves the auidence on a good note. Though Joan and Eddie get mortal "justice" they are going to heaven. They were dealt bad hands all throughout life, but their struggles have now turned into eternal salvation great ending and a way to subvert the Codes rules.
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