While the noir classic, "Out of the Past," starring Robert Mitchum and Jane Greer is often cited as the quintessential Mitchum film, this film directed by Don Siegel, pairing the couple once again, perhaps offers more fun for fans. It has a much different atmosphere than the former, and an ending much more the stuff of which dreams are made.
The Big Steal is a fun and fast moving crime caper with a breezy ambiance and one of the most fun variations of the "couple on the run" you'll ever see. The plot revolves around a U.S. Army payroll William Bendix believes Mitchum has in his possession which, of course, he doesn't, prompting an exciting chase across Mexico with a little romance thrown in to entertain the viewer.
Siegel adds some real south of the border flavor to the mix with palm trees and parrots, and keeps everything moving along so swiftly your interest remains strong throughout. Greer may never have been more sultry than in "Out of The Past" but was never lovelier or more accessible than here. In a big bonus she gets to be on the up and up this time around, at least for the most part. It is she and Mitchum who hook up to chase her ex all across Mexico with Bendix hot on their trail. Bendix gets detained in the chase by a herd of goats at one point in this tremendously fun crime film.
But someone is following all of them, and it may all come down to knowing who to trust in the end. This is a wildly entertaining film which shows Mitchum at his absolute best. Those in need of a region two format for this stellar Mitchum film will be pleased to run across this one.
September 28, 2008 |  | Not Available on DVD (Region 1/NTSC)... Why not??? |  |
It's a shame that this fun gem of a movie pairing Robert Mitchum and Jane Greer (Out of the Past) is still NOT available on DVD!!!
January 24, 2007I totally agree with Wally, this is a great film, fortunately; I did get this on tape recently in the 2 hour speed and the copy is pristine. It is a welcome addition to my collection until someone at the studio "pulls their head out" and puts this on DVD.
October 16, 2006I can't believe that with Fox and other studios releasing their film noir classics from the 1940'S/early '50's, that RKO and it's parent company have not found a way to release this gem "The Big Steal." I've only seen it on AMC and missed the rare (very early) morning airings on TCM. For my money, it's much more interesting than "Out of the Past", which also stars Robert Mitchum and Jane Greer, along with Kirk Douglas, with travels to Mexcio and the relationship between Mitchum and Greer's characters. I'm giving it 5 stars for the tv airing and hoping that an eventual DVD copy will not be a "Big Steal" for some distibutor, but excellent.
September 15, 2006More reviews at Amazon.com ...
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