The Defiant Ones
First screened in April 2002 / Most recently screened in April 2006
Director: Stanley Kramer. Cast: Tony Curtis, Sidney Poitier, Cara Williams, Theodore Bikel, Charles McGraw, Lon Chaney Jr., Kevin Coughlin, Claude Akins, King Donovan, Lawrence Dobkin, Whit Bissell, Carl Switzer, Ned Glass. Screenplay: "Nathan E. Douglas" and Harold Jacob Smith.

 Twitter Capsule: Punchy premise also a dubious contrivance. Kramer surpasses his limits more than he usually did. You root for it.

VOR: ④  Despite its tricked-out premise, this story has remained popular and influential. Interesting scenes doled out to supporting cast. Admirable photography. Politically pointed.


Photo © 1958 United Artists

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: B

Academy Award Nominations and Winners:
Best Picture
Best Director: Stanley Kramer
Best Actor: Tony Curtis
Best Actor: Sidney Poitier
Best Supporting Actress: Cara Williams
Best Supporting Actor: Theodore Bikel
★Best Original Screenplay: Nathan E. Douglas and Harold Jacob Smith
★Best Cinematography (Sam Leavitt)
Best Film Editing: Frederic Knudtson

Golden Globe Nominations and Winners:
★Best Picture (Drama)
Best Director: Stanley Kramer
Best Actor (Drama): Tony Curtis
Best Actor (Drama): Sidney Poitier
Best Supporting Actress: Cara Williams
Best Film Promoting International Understanding

Other Awards:
Berlin Film Festival: Best Actor (Poitier)
Writers Guild of America: Best Written American Drama
New York Film Critics Circle: Best Picture; Best Director; Best Screenplay
British Academy Awards (BAFTAs): Best Foreign Actor (Poitier); UN Award
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