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The Big Steal

The Big Steal

1949
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
1h 11m
Jane and Duke (alias Capt. Blake) accidently meet in Vera Cruz while chasing flim-flam man Fiske. Soon the local Inspector General (El Gato) is involved. Fiske races across Mexico, pursued by Jane and Duke, trailed by the real Capt. Blake. The crafty Inspector General is waiting for them in Tihuacan but they all give him the slip, just in time for the climactic finale. Very tight script and pacing. (imdb)
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The Big Steal

1949
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
1h 11m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 54.21% from 145 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(145)
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Rated 05 Mar 2010
71
70th
Reteams the stars of Out of the Past in a light-hearted crime movie that coasts on star charisma, sunny Mexico and Don Siegel's brisk, no-nonsense approach. Gotta like movies that start with a fistfight and end with a kiss.
Rated 30 Sep 2011
55
31st
Not much noir about this film. More of a mediocre adventure movie, complete with the hallmarks of the genre: an exotic setting, a love story, comic reliefs and lots of chases.
Rated 13 Nov 2007
85
46th
Robert Mitchum (recently busted for 420) and secretly pregnant Jane Greer team up again, this time offering an addictive stream of relaxed cynical-romantic banter as they are pursued through Mexico by William Bendix. Keep your eye out for the fascinating and tragic Ramon Novarro, nearly unrecognizable in a grinning, comic Mexican role.
Rated 23 Mar 2008
3
38th
It may not be exceptional noir, but it is a very entertaining crime picture with a strong comedic element. Mitchum fits the role like a glove, of course, and it's fun to see him back together with Jane Greer, his Out of the Past counterpart, in a warmer relationship. The plot is a triple-cross of sorts that all resolves itself very neatly in the end, with a few surprises along the way. The dialogue is the real strength of the movie; lots of bite with some laugh-worthy lines.
Rated 09 Apr 2008
3
45th
I'm not sure I'd totally classify it as film noir, but it's a hell of a lot of fun. The story is a great game of cat-and-mouse with a few nice twists, and it moves along at a very casual pace. It's short and sweet, but not a single second is wasted. The script is top notch too, with Mitchum and Greer working that same chemistry from Out of the Past.
Rated 18 Nov 2015
82
67th
Seeing Bendix is always a good sign but this is, of course, Mitchum's film, and he's great. This one's also fast paced, and has just enough complexity to keep things interesting without overdoing it, and sharp enough dialogue for some fun sparring between our leads.
Rated 16 Jul 2010
67
33rd
achei divertido; como noir é complicado de avaliar. é diferente, não tem cenas noturnas (exceto o clímax), nem dramas psicológicos. é um conto sobre um roubo com um texto bem afiado; muito bem contado, muito consiso. gostei. mitchum e greer, mas que par, duas atuações incríveis, daquelas que realmente encarnam o personagem e etc
Rated 02 Jan 2014
75
48th
While it has noir aspirations (or an aim of tipping the conventions on their head), it ultimately can't quite compete with the classics of the genre, despite Siegel's stylish direction (though obviously achieved through rear projection, the car chase scene is genuinely exciting) and Mitchum & Greer's solid performances.
Rated 30 Mar 2009
29
23rd
mitchum and greer make a good pair, but the film isnt as exciting and noiry as i hoped. i saw the colorized version, so that may have something to do with my letdown.
Rated 16 Oct 2013
67
34th
66.500
Rated 07 Nov 2009
40
19th
Weak.
Rated 13 Nov 2010
70
35th
Fun B feature.
Rated 02 Jan 2015
50
0th
Don Siegel #1
Rated 31 Oct 2009
4
78th
Pseudo-noir if only because Robert Mitchum is here to drag Jane Greer along kicking and screaming
Rated 29 Apr 2011
60
52nd
Verges on being comedy-noir, if you can get your head round such a thing. It's bright, breezy, and very entertaining. The short running time means that it zips along at a fast pace with not a single second wasted. The plot is interesting, only inasmuch that it doesn't focus on the actual crime, but rather the cat-and-mouse scramble across Mexico that comes afterwards. It's pretty lightweight stuff, but the banter between Mitchum and Greer makes it worth a watch.
Rated 06 Mar 2010
88
78th
Extraordinarily entertaining. The film is short, briskly and fluidly directed by Don Siegel, the screenplay is clever, Mitchum and Greer still smoulder together, William Bendix delivers the goods as usual, and the middle-aged Ramon Navarro is marvelous in the supporting role of the Inspector General.
Rated 26 Apr 2010
70
35th
A screwball chase flick/romantic comedy, taking place almost entirely in bright daylight. So it's not really noir, but it's sufficiently entertaining. It's actually pretty funny, clips along at a great pace, and Mitchum and Greer have nice chemistry. The movie makes excellent use of Mexican locations, and is respectful to the Mexican people. There are significant plotting problems (nothing Bendix does make any sense, given the ending) but it's a fun, breezy ride.
Rated 17 Feb 2024
70
42nd
This lightweight little chase film is ably handled by Don Siegel. It's still fairly early in Siegal's career, but he manages to put together probably the most accomplished car chase on film before the 1960's.
Rated 17 Feb 2020
72
24th
Mildly enjoyable, amusing and entertaining.
Rated 10 Nov 2021
60
89th
Fun road trip of Mexico starring Robert Mitchum & Jane Greer with a gunman on their back. Calling it a noir is a stretch. It's a traditional chase movie done entertainingly. Probable the highlight was seeing former screen idol Ramon Novarro again! He hadn't been doing movies for years and he hadn't exactly kept his boyish looks, but he did the police commissioner bit nicely, enhancing the playful nature of The Big Steal (1949). Always a good time, but falls short of great.
Rated 27 Feb 2022
85
59th
Viewed January 27, 2022. Don Siegel reunited the stars of Out of the Past for this twisty comedy-noir set in Mexico. Siegel's innate feeling for action gives this a very pleasant, breezy feel, one that's further enhanced by the subtle way the comedy is integrated into the narrative - all three of the lead performers walk the line between a serious noir presence and a goofy version of the same, shifting effortlessly between the two and never leaning too strongly into either.
Rated 11 Jan 2023
72
59th
Siegel directs the usual masculine tendencies so tenderly. Mitchum and Greer have great chemistry. Ramon Navarro really steals every scene he’s in
Rated 05 Apr 2023
40
13th
No wonder the Mexicans hate the Americans! I'd recommend giving this a miss, and instead watch Nadia Tass' 'The Big Steal' which is a far more satisfying film.

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