Watch I Died a Thousand Times

I Died a Thousand Times is a classic crime drama from 1955 directed by Stuart Heisler. The film stars Jack Palance, Shelley Winters, and Lori Nelson in a gripping story of a heist gone wrong. The movie begins with an ex-con named Roy "Mad Dog" Earle (Jack Palance), being released from prison after serving a 7-year sentence. The audience learns that Earle was incarcerated for armed robbery and during that time, he has become fascinated with the idea of pulling off a big score. He is contacted by an old associate named Big Mac, who offers Earle the opportunity for a heist that will make them all rich beyond their wildest dreams. The heist involves robbing a resort built on a mountain that is only accessible by plane. The place is owned by a wealthy businessman named Lon (played by Ryan), who keeps his money locked in the safe. Despite some hesitation, Earle agrees to take part in the heist and assembles a crew consisting of Babe (Lee Marvin), Red (Earl Holliman), and Doc (Denver Pyle).

The first half of the movie is dedicated to Earle and his cohorts preparing for the heist. The audience witnesses the level of planning needed to pull off a job of this scale. They have to plan the route, the timing, and the getaway. They also need to acquire fake identities and uniforms to blend in as resort staff. Along the way, Earle develops a relationship with a lonely and naive young woman named Velma (Lori Nelson) who desires to escape her mundane life by any means necessary.

After several failed attempts at robbing the mountain resort, the heist finally goes ahead. However, things do not go as planned, and the heist ends up in bloodshed. In a tense showdown, Earle is left to face the law on his own. The second half of the movie deals with Earle being on the run, trying to escape the law enforcement officers who are hot on his tail.

Even though the storyline is straightforward, the performances by the actors, especially Jack Palance, make the movie stand out. Palance is mesmerizing and emulates the perfect anti-hero by being both ruthless and sympathetic. Shelley Winters, who plays a cafe owner named Marie, is also fantastic in her role as she forms a connection with Earle that threatens to derail the heist.

Another standout aspect of the movie is the film's production design. The movie was partially shot on location in the Sierra Nevada mountains, and the scenery is breathtaking. The mountain range is depicted as both beautiful and dangerous, which adds a sense of realism and danger to the film.

Overall, I Died a Thousand Times is an excellent example of film noir, a crime genre that was popular in the 1940s and 50s. Stuart Heisler's direction is top-notch, and the performances by the actors, especially Jack Palance, make this movie a must-see for anyone interested in classic film. The movie has aged well, and its exploration of morality, redemption, and the consequences of criminal actions make it a thought-provoking and engaging viewing experience.

I Died a Thousand Times is a 1955 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.