White Heat
Seen it?1949 | 114 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (94% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved The Killing or Cape Fear, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense, dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 54 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1949: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
A psychopathic criminal with a mother complex makes a daring break from prison and then leads his old gang in a chemical plant payroll heist. After the heist, events take a crazy turn.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 89 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.7 out of 10
- AwardsBelow par
Nominated for 1 Oscar.
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$3 million worldwide on a $1 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 85K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
The Killing
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed heist crime drama.
Snitch
Weeknight WatchAnother prison drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Cape Fear
Saturday SpecialAnother prison crime drama, and a Saturday Special.
Girl in the Basement Sunday Safe BetAnother prison crime thriller, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Shot Caller Sunday Safe BetAnother prison crime drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Raoul Walsh
- James CagneyArthur 'Cody' Jarrett
- Virginia MayoVerna Jarrett
- Edmond O'BrienVic Pardo
- Margaret WycherlyMa Jarrett
- Steve Cochran'Big Ed' Somers
- John ArcherPhilip Evans
- Wally Cassell'Cotton' Valletti
- Fred ClarkDaniel Winston
- Ford RaineyZuckie
- Robert FoulkPayroll Guard at Chemical Plant