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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 0013023266698
Format: Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
Label: Geneon [Pioneer]
Manufacturer: Geneon [Pioneer]
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Geneon [Pioneer]
Region Code: 1
Release Date: October 04, 2005
Running Time: 84 minutes
Sales Rank: 27713
Studio: Geneon [Pioneer]
Theatrical Release Date: February 13, 1955
Editorial Review:
Amazon.com:
A prime example of the American film noir style that flourished during the 1940s and '50s, The Big Combo is now highly regarded as a stylistic milestone for its innovative use of deep shadows and harsh, singular light sources to define its visual strategy. This look is largely credited to the rule-breaking brilliance of cinematographer John Alton, who turns a standard plot of the era into a richly atmospheric experiment in visual invention. Ignoring conventional approaches to lighting, Alton defines the screen in terms of blackness, often framing characters as silhouettes cast in ominous grays or thick, roiling fogs. Moving from clarity to abstraction with masterful grades in between, Alton's trend-setting style has been celebrated by cinematographers since the film's release in 1955.
The film's plot keeps brisk pace with the visuals, focusing on the obsessive efforts of a tenacious detective (Cornel Wilde) to destroy a sadistic mobster (Richard Conte) whose vicious influence has nearly ruined the life of the woman (Jean Wallace) he keeps under his dark wing. Lee Van Cleef and Earl Holliman are nicely cast as the villain's toady henchmen, and Brian Donlevy's usual limitations serve him well as the humbled, frustrated kingpin who's been stifled by Conte's ambition. Director Joseph H. Lewis previously demonstrated his raw, stylistic vigor with the earlier cult favorite Gun Crazy, and here he's in peak form with a perfect match of subject and sensibility. The result is hard-boiled entertainment that still packs a punch. --Jeff Shannon
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - The Big Combo
Lewis's ultra-hard-boiled noir is savage and unstinting in its view of two men, one squarely on the side of the law and the other seemingly above it, locked in a battle of wills that may eventually destroy them both. Conte is particularly repellent as the sadistic Mr. Brown, but he gets excellent support from Brian Donlevy as a stoic, humiliated underling whose hearing aids provide one of the movie's most gruesome plot points. Earl Holliman and Lee Van Cleef are also solid playing Brown's all-too ... Read More
Rating:  - John Alton's cinematography is a classic noir example of what can be done with limited means
When the two most interesting scenes involve a hearing aid pulled from Brian Donlevy's ear, I think a good assumption would be that The Big Combo lacks a little something. The plot is simplicity itself. An obsessive cop is determined to bring down a crime boss, come what may. As the cop collects witnesses, the crime boss' two goons turn them into corpses. Eventually, the cop prevails...and maybe even makes a friend of the crime boss' innocent, blond and zaftig girlfriend. In fact, however, I think ... Read More
Rating:  - Big Dumpo
What an utter waste of time. I love old black and white movies, especially film noir, but the lighting is amateurish, the acting is very stiff, the ideas are idiotic (they arrest a woman for murder because she attempts suicide), the makeup is incredibly poor (one man's gray hair looks like it was applied with house paint), the music is suddenly loud for no reason, but the writing should get a special award for stupidity. There is a wandering, nonsensical, and boring plot line that could not be saved ... Read More
Rating: - Great movie, great price!
I don't have to repeat everything that others have written-- this is a great movie! I already had the Image DVD when I decided to buy the Geneon PD release for just over a dollar from an Amazon seller to send to a friend. I expected the inexpensive public domain release to be barely watchable. I've had that experience with most of the Alpha DVD's I've purchased. But, THIS Geneon is quite good. Before looking for an out of print Image DVD, check this one out! With shipping, my total cost was under ... Read More
Rating: - The Big Combo
I'm a fan of the old B&W detective/mystery films. This one is OK but not great.
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