On B List of Movie Reviews
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Brute Force (1947)
Rate:
3
Viewed:
7/14
7/14:
What's disgusting about Brute Force is how manipulative the film is and how far it is from the truth.
I guess, to Hollywood, the warden and his prison guards are the bad guys while the prisoners are the good guys. Remind me
again why I must root for the latter group. So, the reason for Burt Lancaster's character's escape is to be there for
his girl's life-saving operation. Um, okay...
Also, the movie is sometimes preachy, talky, melodramatic, and overly sentimental.
There are some unrealistic parts such as the warden chickening out, the prisoners being innocent of their crimes (all with
the same femme fatale story) and having total freedom of movement with no guards, the doctor releasing
confidential information to a prisoner, and the warden publicly announcing his resignation.
Meanwhile, Burt Lancaster's presence overwhelms everybody. Consequently, he was
destined for bigger pictures with real stars. Hence, you're better off watching
Birdman of Alcatraz.
The rest of the cast, except for Charles Bickford, belongs in B pictures because they can't act or look the part.
All in all, Brute Force is pure Hollywood hokum.