Thieves' Highway
Seen it?1949 | 94 min | Drama, Crime, Thriller
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office. 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 Grifters, 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 34 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1949: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Nick Garcos comes back from his tour of duty in World War II planning to settle down with his girlfriend, Polly Faber. He learns, however, that his father was recently beaten and burglarized by mob-connected trucker Mike Figlia, and Nick resolves to get even. He partners with prostitute Rica, and together they go after Mike, all the while getting pulled further into the local crime underworld.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.3 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$2 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 32K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Jules Dassin
- Richard ConteNick Garcos
- Valentina CorteseRica
- Lee J. CobbMike Figlia
- Barbara LawrencePolly Faber
- Jack OakieSlob
- Millard MitchellEd Kinney
- Joseph PevneyPete
- Morris CarnovskyYanko Garcos
- Tamara ShayneParthena Garcos
- Kasia OrzazewskiMrs. Polansky