IMDb > The Defiant Ones (1958)
The Defiant Ones
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The Defiant Ones (1958) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
7.7/10   6,501 votes »
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Down 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Stanley Kramer
Writers:
Nedrick Young (written by) (originally as Nathan E. Douglas)
Harold Jacob Smith (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Defiant Ones on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
27 September 1958 (USA) See more »
Genre:
Crime | Drama | Thriller See more »
Tagline:
One of the great ones! See more »
Plot:
Two escaped convicts chained together, white and black, must learn to get along in order to elude capture. Full summary » | Add synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
See more »
Awards:
Won 2 Oscars. Another 14 wins & 19 nominations See more »
NewsDesk:
(111 articles)
Buddying Up
 (From Huffington Post. 3 May 2013, 7:48 AM, PDT)
Sidney Poitier Made Oscar History Today… Black Actors & The Best Actor Academy Award
 (From ShadowAndAct. 13 April 2013, 7:57 AM, PDT)
Sidney Poitier to visit Anupam Khers acting school
 (From BollywoodHungama. 1 March 2013, 3:17 AM, PST)
User Reviews:
Defiantly Great **** See more (60 total) »

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

Tony Curtis ... John 'Joker' Jackson

Sidney Poitier ... Noah Cullen

Theodore Bikel ... Sheriff Max Muller

Charles McGraw ... Capt. Frank Gibbons

Lon Chaney Jr. ... Big Sam (as Lon Chaney)
King Donovan ... Solly

Claude Akins ... Mack
Lawrence Dobkin ... Editor

Whit Bissell ... Lou Gans

Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer ... Angus (as Carl Switzer)
Kevin Coughlin ... Billy
Cara Williams ... Billy's Mother
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Harold Jacob Smith ... Prison Truck Driver (uncredited)
Nedrick Young ... Prison Guard in Truck (uncredited)
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Directed by
Stanley Kramer 
 
Writing credits
Nedrick Young (written by) originally as Nathan E. Douglas

Harold Jacob Smith (screenplay)

Produced by
Stanley Kramer .... producer
 
Original Music by
Ernest Gold 
 
Cinematography by
Sam Leavitt (director of photography)
 
Film Editing by
Frederic Knudtson (film editor)
 
Production Design by
Rudolph Sternad 
 
Art Direction by
Fernando Carrere 
 
Set Decoration by
Joseph Kish  (as Joe Kish)
 
Makeup Department
Don L. Cash .... makeup (as Don Cash)
 
Production Management
Clem Beauchamp .... production manager
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Paul Helmick .... assistant director
 
Art Department
Art Cole .... property master
 
Sound Department
Walter Elliott .... sound effects
Jean L. Speak .... sound engineer (as James Speak)
Wayne Fury .... sound editor (uncredited)
John Mick .... sound editor (uncredited)
 
Special Effects by
Alex Weldon .... special effects
 
Stunts
Ivan Dixon .... stunt double: Sidney Poitier (uncredited)
Robert F. Hoy .... stunt double: Tony Curtis (uncredited)
Boyd 'Red' Morgan .... stunts (uncredited)
 
Camera and Electrical Department
James Almond .... chief gaffer
Al Myers .... camera operator
Morris Rosen .... company grip
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Joe King .... costume supervision
 
Music Department
Jack Marshall .... orchestrator (uncredited)
 
Other crew
John Franco .... script supervisor
Stanley Kramer .... presenter
Cindy James .... dog trainer (uncredited)
 
Crew verified as complete


Production CompaniesDistributors
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
See more »
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
96 min (Turner library print) (copyright length)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Black and White
Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:
Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:U | USA:Approved (PCA #18985) | West Germany:12 | Norway:16 | New Zealand:PG | USA:TV-PG
Filming Locations:
Between Piru & Fillmore, Southern Pacific Railroad, California, USASee more »
Company:
Curtleigh ProductionsSee more »

Did You Know?

Trivia:
Robert Mitchum turned down the Tony Curtis' role. Mitchum, a real-life veteran of a Southern chain gang, said that he didn't believe the premise that a black and white man would be chained together, as such a thing would never happen in the very strictly segregated South. Over the years, this reason was corrupted to the point where many people now believe Mitchum turned down the role because he didn't want to be chained to a black man, an absolute falsehood. Curtis repeated the inaccurate story in his autobiography, but since has recanted after it was explained to him.See more »
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: As John and Noah are swept downriver together, a person is seen on the shore moving into the top of frame, watching the two men.See more »
Quotes:
Noah Cullen:[after covering Joker's face with mud so it doesn't show in the moonlight] There, now just the meanness shines through.See more »
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Android Apocalypse (2006) (TV)See more »
Soundtrack:
Long GoneSee more »

FAQ

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User Reviews

   (Review this title)
8 out of 10 people found the following review useful.
Defiantly Great ****, 26 December 2005
Author: edwagreen from United States

A totally absorbing film showing great acting talents of Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier as escapees from a chain gang. Chained together, they must get along to survive and conquer the racial prejudices that divide them so.

Both actors received best actor nominations. For both being nominated, David Niven was given a gift that year of the best actor award for Separate Tables.

Comedienne Cara Williams shines as a woman they meet while on the lamb. While her part is brief, Williams is gritty and was nominated for best supporting actress as well as sheriff Theodore Bikel, in the supporting category as well. His relentlessness in trying to capture the two is memorable.

The film is truly an excellent character study. Its ending will have you stand up and cheering.

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See more (60 total) »

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Defiant Ones (1958)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Most Supprising Ending Ever! makybe_diva
Modern Movie that was a remake of this?? *possible SPOILERS* sumankey13
Bowlin' gree-een! A sewin' machine. sonyablade
Lon Chaney Jr.... rokrox
What year is this supposed to take place in? AnnetteJS
Who would you pick to star in a remake? glassblowersarse
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