The Defiant Ones | Rotten Tomatoes

David S What a great movie and quite an excellent idea at such a critical time in our countries history to put this film into circulation! Two great performances highlight this classic! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/06/25 Full Review Audience Member Curtis & Poitier give outstanding performances in The Defiant Ones, and the supporting cast is stellar as well. The remakes don't hold a candle to the 1958 original. WHERE TO WATCH?: As of July 2024, the original & its poorly done remake are both available on the Tubi app (for free). Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/13/24 Full Review Leaburn O Picks up in the second half with a decent ending. Shame the first half was awash with so much forced moralising. Some of the characters were cartoonish but there's enough in the plot to keep it just on tracks. Watched on Amazon Prime Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/28/24 Full Review Georgan G Really, really great acting makes this movie work. Poitier and Curtis kept my interest from start to finish. Clever plot with the main theme of interracial relationships. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/14/23 Full Review Nizar N Rarely do you find a movie that focuses on the social aspect that much while also having an entertaining plot and suspense. Sidney Poitier and Tony Curtis give moving performances, in addition to Stanley Kramer's magic. The Defiant Ones is a masterpiece. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/18/23 Full Review Audience Member The Defiant Ones is an odd couple prison break drama pairing Sidney Poitier and Tony Curtis on the run and free from their cell but still remaining shackled and chained at the wrist. This film is at its best when focused on the interplay between Curtis and Poitier, their divide heightened over racial difference (and supported by sharp dialogue exchanges between the two) but ultimately leading to a bond that asks what is freedom without loyalty. The film does falter where focused on the pursuit of the escapees however Theodore Bikel as Sherrif does do an admirable job of keeping his gun toting, trigger happy deputies at bay, a theme echoed later where the the duo are at the mercy of a murderous lynch mob. I'm absolutely stumped about the meanings and relevance of the song Poitier sings at various intervals - something about a bowling green and a kitten sitting on a sewing machine?!? This was no doubt the inspiration for AIP's excellently titled 1970s Blaxploitation actioner 'Black Mama, White Mama'. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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