A Dassin Dossier
Mar 25, 2009J. Hoberman’s got a sharp and snazzy piece in the New York Times on American expat director Jules Dassin—just in time for Film Forum’s fifteen-film . . .
Synopsis
Thieves’ Highway vividly depicts the perilous world of “long-haul boys,” who drive by night to bring their goods to the markets of America’s cities. Richard Conte stars as ex-G.I. Nick Garcos, a tyro trucker bent on satisfaction from the man responsible for crippling his father—ruthless market operator Mike Figlia (Lee J. Cobb). But when Figlia gets wise to his plan, Nick finds himself in a web of treachery and heartbreak. The Criterion Collection is proud to present this searing melodrama from master Jules Dassin.
Cast
| Nick Garcos | Richard Conte |
| Rica | Valentina Cortese |
| Mike Figlia | Lee J. Cobb |
| Polly Faber | Barbara Lawrence |
| Slob | Jack Oakie |
| Ed Prentiss | Millard Mitchell |
| Pete | Joseph Pevney |
Credits
| Director | Jules Dassin |
| Screenplay | A.I. Bezzerides |
| Music | Alfred Newman |
| Cinematography | Norbert Brodine |
| Editing | Nick DeMaggio |
| Based on the novel “Thieves' Market” by | A.I. Bezzerides |
Disc Features
- New, restored high-definition digital transfer
- Audio commentary by Alain Silver, editor of Film Noir Reader and author of Raymond Chandler’s Los Angeles
- New video interview with Jules Dassin
- Trailer for The Long Haul of A.I. Bezzerides (2004), a new documentary on Bezzerides, author of the screenplay for Thieves’ Highway and the novel on which it was based
- Original theatrical trailer
- English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired
- Plus: a new essay by film critic Michael Sragow
From the Current
Jules Dassin, 1911–2008
by Apr 1, 2008As a generation of artists passes, the deaths often seem to come eerily close together, amplifying their individual achievements. In the past couple of weeks, we’ve lost The Naked City screenwriter Malvin Wald, then the incomparable Richard Widmark, and now hear the incredibly sad news . . .
Thieves’ Highway: Dangerous Fruit
by Jan 31, 2005Like the movie’s rattletrap trucks lurching down the highway as they carry way-too-heavy loads, the characters in Jules Dassin’s brilliantly volatile Thieves’ Highway struggle under psychological and moral baggage until they can lay their burdens down. Working from a novel and . . .
Related Films
The Auteurs Forum
Displaying 0 discussion topics.
