Watch The Big Steal

The Big Steal is a classic film noir from 1949, starring Robert Mitchum as an ex-GI named Duke Halliday who is pursued by corrupt police officers and a duplicitous vixen named Jo Ann Graham, played brilliantly by Jane Greer. The film was directed by Don Siegel and written by Gerald Drayson Adams. The plot revolves around Duke Halliday, who has just arrived in Mexico with a large sum of army payroll money. Duke intends to use the money to buy his way out of his life of crime and start a new life in South America. However, things quickly go awry when he is pursued by a crooked police officer named Benson, played by William Bendix, who believes that Duke has stolen the money from the army.

Duke makes the mistake of revealing his identity and his plans to Jo Ann, a beautiful and seductive woman who had caught his eye at a bus stop. Jo Ann offers to help Duke escape from the police and get the money to safety, but Duke learns too late that she is actually working with Benson to steal the money for themselves. As Duke tries to outwit Jo Ann and Benson and get the money back, he finds himself caught in a web of deception and danger.

One of the most striking aspects of The Big Steal is its excellent use of location and cinematography. The film was shot on location in Mexico City and features stunning panoramic shots of the cityscape, as well as intense and claustrophobic scenes in dark alleys and cramped apartments. The film also makes excellent use of shadows and light to create a sense of foreboding and tension.

The performances of the three leads are also top-notch. Robert Mitchum brings his trademark cool and suave demeanor to the role of Duke, while Jane Greer is both seductive and dangerous as Jo Ann. William Bendix plays Benson with a brutish and menacing quality that perfectly balances out the film's more romantic and glamorous elements.

The Big Steal is a classic film noir that combines exciting action, a duplicitous femme fatale, and a thrilling chase across Mexico City into one unforgettable package. It is a must-see for fans of the genre and for anyone who appreciates the films of the Golden Age of Hollywood.

The Big Steal is a 1949 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 11 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.