IMDb >
Brute Force (1947)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsBrute Force (1947) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 9 | slideshow) |
Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
30 June 1947 (USA) moreTagline:
Mark Hellinger's POWER PACKED PICTURE! (re-release print ad - mostly caps) morePlot:
At a tough penitentiary, prisoner Joe Collins plans to rebel against Captain Munsey, the power-mad chief guard. full summary | full synopsisNewsDesk:
(2 articles)
Spring Preview: A Repertory Calendar for the Coasts (From IFC. 18 February 2009, 2:17 PM, PST)
Dassin, Hershfeld To Show Early Work
(From Studio Briefing - Film News. 11 October 2001)
User Comments:
Nobody Can Ever Escape From the Prison moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Burt Lancaster | ... | Joe Collins | |
| Hume Cronyn | ... | Capt. Munsey | |
| Charles Bickford | ... | Gallagher | |
| Yvonne De Carlo | ... | Gina Ferrara | |
| Ann Blyth | ... | Ruth | |
| Ella Raines | ... | Cora Lister | |
| Anita Colby | ... | Flossie | |
| Sam Levene | ... | Louie Miller #7033 | |
| Jeff Corey | ... | 'Freshman' Stack | |
| John Hoyt | ... | Spencer | |
| Jack Overman | ... | Kid Coy | |
| Roman Bohnen | ... | Warden A.J. Barnes | |
| Sir Lancelot | ... | Calypso | |
| Vince Barnett | ... | Muggsy | |
| Jay C. Flippen | ... | Hodges (guard) |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
98 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)Certification:
Norway:16 | UK:A (cut) (original rating) | West Germany:16 (nf) | USA:Approved (PCA #12441) | Finland:K-16 | Australia:PGFun Stuff
Trivia:
When the Group Theater (1931-1940), the first American acting company to attempt to put the Russian Stanislavski's principles into action, disbanded many of the actors who had participated in its revolutionary realistic productions on Broadway ("Awake and Sing" "Waiting for Lefty") made their way to Hollywood in search of work; among them the character actors Sam Levene ("Miller"), Roman Bohnen ("Warden"), and Art Smith ("Dr. Walters")-- all of whom can be seen in this film. As many of the actors in The Group were members of the Communist Party or leftist organizations, they would soon be blacklisted during the HUAC period along with the director of this film, Jules Dassin. In 1946, a year before the release of this film, Elia Kazan, one of the members of The Group Theater who named names, happened to be in Hollywood and saw a production of one of Tennessee Williams's early plays "Portrait of a Madonna" directed by Hume Cronyn - who plays the sadistic Capt. Munsey in this film. Kazan was so impressed by the work of Cronyn's wife, Jessica Tandy, that he offered her the role of Blanche Dubois in his Broadway production of "Streetcar Named Desire." moreGoofs:
Revealing mistakes: During the fight in the guard tower between Munsey and Collins, guard Tom seems to have been killed, but the stunt actor Tom Steele who plays him is very clearly doubling Hume Cronyn. moreQuotes:
Joe Collins: [Spencer is wavering about whether to join in with Joe's escape plan] Spencer. In or out? No guarantees go with this break. It's all or nothing. But you've gotta' make up your mind now. Now! Either way, no hard feelings.Spencer: [after long, thoughtful pause] With you, Joe. I'll play along.
Robert 'Soldier' Becker: I never thought different.
Spencer: Neither did I.
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Brute Force (1947) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison | Reformatory | Hell on Devil's Island | Lock Up | The Secret of Treasure Island |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Thriller section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |










In the Westgate Penitentiary, the Warden A. J. Barden (Roman Bohnen) is a weak man, and the institution is actually ruled by the ambitious and sadistic Captain Munsey (Hume Cronyon), who uses violence, fear and treachery to control the prisoners. After the suicide of Tom Lister (Whit Bissell), one of the inmates of cell R17, provoked by Captain Munsey, the prisoners loses their privileges and rest of the group of cell R-17 leaded by Joe Collins (Burt Lancaster) is sent to hard and insalubrious work in the drain pipe. Joe uses a successful strategy of war trying to escape, attacking the tower of the penitentiary from the outside with his men, and from inside with the team leaded by the leader Gallagher (Charles Bickford). However, the plan fails, ending in a bloodshed.
Sixty years after the original release date, "Brute Force" is still a great movie of prison. The story is very well constructed, with flashbacks showing the connection of three inmates with his women. The violence is not explicitly disclosed like in the present days, but the cruelty of Captain Munsey can be understood even by the most naive viewer. The direction of Jules Dassin is outstanding with many memorable scenes. Yvonne De Carlo has a minor participation, but a strong role. The moralist message in the end, when Dr. Walters (Alt Smith) tells that nobody can escape from penitentiaries, does not spoil this great movie. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "Brutalidade" ("Brutality")