Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Reviews
Product Description
Classic Huston film, which was also Marilyn Monroe's first big starring role, and her first successful film. Recently released from prison, Doc Reidenschneider (Sam Jaffe) plans a jewel heist with lawyer Alonzo Emmerich (Louis Calhern). Doc begins rehearsing the theft with his gang of criminals, but Emmerich is planning a double cross.
Product Description
This Dvd Set Is Brand New & Factory Sealed - Another Dvd Is Now Becoming Very Collectable & Sought After. This Dvd Is In Stock And Will Be Posted From The UK
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By J. M. Harman
Format:DVD
"The Asphalt Jungle" is one of the few Hollywood films to follow the Russian tradition of picture-making; for the film does not include actors who are "stars" in the accepted sense of the word, but people who have been encouraged to "sink" their characters fully into the roles they are playing. Even Marilyn Monroe - in one of her first film parts - is not listed in the opening credit titles.
The movie captures perfectly the weaknesses of human nature that comes from greed & the wish to have more than one`s "fair share" . The contrast in the characters is notable: for example, the coolness of the German "Doctor" and the nervousness of the bookmaker.
The black & white photography is gritty & helps create the sombre atmosphere of the film. The use of music too, is restrained: only in the first & last scenes of the picture is there any "soundtrack" background music. Otherwise the music emanates from "natural" sources i.e. radio, jukebox etc., altogether an absorbing film, well worth seeing; a classic of its kind.
John Harman.
The movie captures perfectly the weaknesses of human nature that comes from greed & the wish to have more than one`s "fair share" . The contrast in the characters is notable: for example, the coolness of the German "Doctor" and the nervousness of the bookmaker.
The black & white photography is gritty & helps create the sombre atmosphere of the film. The use of music too, is restrained: only in the first & last scenes of the picture is there any "soundtrack" background music. Otherwise the music emanates from "natural" sources i.e. radio, jukebox etc., altogether an absorbing film, well worth seeing; a classic of its kind.
John Harman.
34 of 35 people found the following review helpful
By Epsilon
Format:VHS Tape
It is a curious fact that despite the an ever-increasing modern infatuation with the criminal perspective of life, "The Asphalt Jungle", the first heist film from such a view, has languished in obscurity. It represents a major break from the traditional thriller and a key achievement of 50s film-making.
Deliberately episodic in form, the film takes us through the careful planning for the job, the botched attempt, and the frantic getaway. In generating believable and sympathetic criminals, John Huston's confident direction does the difficult job of showing how the violence of these character has not robbed them of their humanity.
Of course, unlike the Westerns, where the dark heroes could ride off into the sunset, this film aimed for the gritty realism of its day and so there could be no rosy future for its villians. Thus the film bears the classic elements of tragedy whereby the protagonists' own shortcomings prompt their fall. And as with all great tragedy, inevitability does not betray the climax of its power.
In many ways, it is a pity that this film featured the debut of Marilyn Munroe. Her patent beauty is only on the screen for a few minutes and yet has stolen much of the attention that the rest of this film so richly deserved.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The problem with todays crime movies is that so many of them talk the talk but dont walk the walk.
John Houston's 1953 heist movie puts them all to shame, simply because it understands what makes career criminals tick, and it manages to combine street style with character substance. On one level there is the plan, the operation and the betrayal that inevitably follows. But beneath this we are given glimpses into the domestic lives, impossible dreams and personality flaws of the heavy, the safecracker, the mastermind, the getaway driver, the financier- character types transformed into real flesh and blood. Brilliant.
John Houston's 1953 heist movie puts them all to shame, simply because it understands what makes career criminals tick, and it manages to combine street style with character substance. On one level there is the plan, the operation and the betrayal that inevitably follows. But beneath this we are given glimpses into the domestic lives, impossible dreams and personality flaws of the heavy, the safecracker, the mastermind, the getaway driver, the financier- character types transformed into real flesh and blood. Brilliant.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 80 reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
American Noir
The Asphalt Jungle [1950] [DVD]
This is American Noir - a classic and a bargain. Is this Marylin Monroe's first appearance? Read more
This is American Noir - a classic and a bargain. Is this Marylin Monroe's first appearance? Read more
Published 21 months ago by Thomas88
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Asphalt Jungle (1950) ... Sterling Hayden ... John Huston (Director)...
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) presents "ASPHALT JUNGLE" (1950) (112 min/B&W) (Fully Restored/Dolby Digitally Remastered) -- Starring Sterling Hayden, Louis Calhern, Jean Hagen, James... Read more
Published on 9 Feb 2011 by J. Lovins
5.0 out of 5 stars
Experience has taught me never to trust a policeman. Just when you...
Out of MGM, The Asphalt Jungle is directed by John Huston and based on the novel of the same name by W.R. Burnett. Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2011 by Spike Owen
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Ashphalt Jungle (DVD) 1950
This film is gritty and tense,with screenplay by Ben Maddow and John Huston, and also directed by John Huston. Read more
Published on 29 Aug 2010 by Derek Vernon-morris
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Classic
Crisp, tight, script, direction, and acting. Plus Marilyn Monroe in one of her smallest but most noteworthy parts.
Published on 28 Jun 2010 by Mr. M. Pearson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Noir Classic
I had forgotten how good this was until I caught a bit of it on the TV; so I just had to buy it. If you like Noir then this has to be in your collection.
Published on 27 May 2010 by Jay Zee
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Asphalt Jungle
One of the classic post WW2 films that contains a host of faces that you recognise but can't often name! Read more
Published on 26 Mar 2010 by Mr. M. Sanders
4.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best films noirs
I agree with other reviewers, a very good film in terms of its plot, varied scenes of urban life, film noir lighting, plausibly downbeat ending and the music. Read more
Published on 19 Mar 2009 by Humpty Dumpty
5.0 out of 5 stars
Never trust a policeman. Just when you think they are OK they go legit
I don't know how I have missed this film for so long. It is a great film for 1950 and directed by John Huston. Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2009 by Peter Wade
4.0 out of 5 stars
Timing Is All...
...in this film about a jewel heist in the Mid West of the USA. Sterling Hayden's tough guy role would have been the lead then, though Marilyn Monroe is now billed ahead of him,... Read more
Published on 19 Feb 2008 by Ian Millard
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192198663_.gif){kind=small}
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
