The Asphalt Jungle
Seen it?1950 | 113 min | Crime, Drama
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (98% on Rotten Tomatoes), it drew serious awards attention and it's still drawing plenty of interest. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans. If you loved The Night of the Hunter or Glengarry Glen Ross, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 53 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1950: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Recently paroled from prison, legendary burglar "Doc" Riedenschneider, with funding from Alonzo Emmerich, a crooked lawyer, gathers a small group of veteran criminals together in the Midwest for a big jewel heist.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 85 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.5 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 Golden Globe: Golden Globe Award: Best Director. Won 1 Venice award: Venice Film Festival: Best Actor. Also nominated for 4 Oscars, 2 more Golden Globes and 1 BAFTA. Plus 1 other award.
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a modest audience; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 121K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
The Night of the Hunter Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed heist crime drama that fewer people know today.
Little Caesar
Sunday Safe BetAnother heist crime drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Glengarry Glen Ross
Saturday SpecialAnother heist crime drama.
Flawless
Weeknight WatchAnother heist crime drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Heist Weeknight WatchAnother heist crime drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by John Huston
- Sterling HaydenDix Handley
- Louis CalhernAlonzo D. Emmerich
- Jean HagenDoll Conovan
- James WhitmoreGus Minissi
- Sam JaffeDoc Erwin Riedenschneider
- John McIntirePolice Commissioner Hardy
- Marc LawrenceCobby
- Barry KelleyLieutenant Ditrich
- Anthony CarusoLouis Ciavelli
- Teresa CelliMaria Ciavelli