Two chained-together escaped convicts, White and Black, must learn to get along in order to elude capture.Two chained-together escaped convicts, White and Black, must learn to get along in order to elude capture.Two chained-together escaped convicts, White and Black, must learn to get along in order to elude capture.
- Won 2 Oscars
- 16 wins & 21 nominations total
Lon Chaney Jr.
- Big Sam
- (as Lon Chaney)
Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer
- Angus
- (as Carl Switzer)
Joe Brooks
- Townsman
- (uncredited)
Jack Clinton
- Townsman
- (uncredited)
Jimmy Dime
- Townsman
- (uncredited)
Clem Fuller
- Search Party Member
- (uncredited)
Mickey Golden
- Search Party Member
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- Nedrick Young(originally as Nathan E. Douglas)
- Harold Jacob Smith
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaRobert Mitchum turned down the role of John "Joker" Jackson (Tony Curtis' role). Mitchum, who claimed to have served on a Southern chain gang when he was 14, said that he didn't believe the premise that a Black man and a 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 believed 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 recanted after it was explained to him.
- GoofsTwice they are soaked to the skin in water and mud, but come up with dry cigarettes and matches.
- Quotes
Noah Cullen: I ain't gettin' mad, Joker. I been mad all my natural life.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Precious Images (1986)
- SoundtracksLong Gone
Adapted from "Long Gone (From Bowlin' Green)" (1920)
Music by W.C. Handy (as William C. Handy)
Words by Chris Smith
Sung a cappella by Sidney Poitier (uncredited) several times
Featured review
The Best Movie on Racism
Kramer's story about to escaped prisoners hooked up together, black and white, is still the best picture ever made on racism. At first they hate each other, but through their run for freedom they even become true friends and the different color of their skins actually disappears and they are just to men who like each other. Sidney Poitier is good as always and Tony Curtis gives what is probably his best performance ever in drama, matched only by his acting in The Boston Strangler later in 1967. The supporting cast is also good and correctly chosen. Although real action scenes are just a few, Kramer manages to keep attention permanently for viewers along with an increasing interest in how things turn out. Time has not affected the film which still stands as a big one.
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- ragosaal
- Aug 26, 2006
- How long is The Defiant Ones?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Flucht in Ketten
- Filming locations
- Kern County, California, USA(crossing the river)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $778,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 36 minutes
- Color
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