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Poster for Brute Force

Brute Force

Seen it?

1947 | 98 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (95% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. 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 Night of the Hunter or Point Blank, 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 38 min.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1947: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Timeworn Joe Collins and his fellow inmates live under the heavy thumb of the sadistic, power-tripping guard Captain Munsey. Only Collins' dreams of escape keep him going, but how can he possibly bust out of Munsey's chains?

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    95% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.3 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerBelow par

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 24K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Jules Dassin

  • Burt LancasterJoe Collins
  • Hume CronynCapt. Munsey
  • Charles BickfordGallagher
  • Yvonne De CarloGina Ferrara
  • Ann BlythRuth
  • Ella RainesCora Lister
  • Anita ColbyFlossie
  • Sam LeveneLouie Miller #7033
  • Jeff Corey'Freshman' Stack
  • John HoytSpencer