On D List of Movie Reviews
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The Defiant Ones (1958)
Rate:
6
Viewed:
7/21
7/21:
The Defiant Ones is a longtime classic about racial harmony that I hadn't seen until now.
As much as I want to like the film, it hasn't aged well and can be dull at times. I'm surprised at the Oscar wins for
Best Writing and Best Cinematography. Some of the dialogue is corny. There's an apparent formula happening. Stanley
Kramer should have focused more on action instead of talk which is the reason why
The Fugitive worked so well.
The Defiant Ones is more well known for Sidney Poitier than Tony Curtis. Both were nominated for Best Actor
with Sidney Poitier being the first black person ever to earn it. However, I have to say Tony Curtis gives a strong
performance while his co-star is merely fine.
Unfortunately, I can see their stunt doubles, especially on the rapids, but they did all of the hard work in the clay pit and
elsewhere. The train scene is dramatic. They described the filming experience as the most physically exhausting
of their careers. By the way, Sidney Poitier can't sing a lick in real life.
All in all, I concede that The Defiant Ones was ahead of its time and should be watched no matter what, but it has lost
a lot of luster by now.