Watch The Big Knife

The Big Knife, released in 1955, is a film-noir directed by Robert Aldrich and starring Jack Palance, Ida Lupino, and Wendell Corey. The film revolves around the life of Hollywood actor Charles Castle, played by Jack Palance, who becomes trapped in a web of deception and blackmail. Charles Castle is a famous Hollywood movie star who has everything that money can buy – including success, fame, and fortune. However, his life is not as perfect as it seems. Charles is facing a moral dilemma over renewing his contract with his movie studio, which he believes would compromise his artistic integrity. He wants to break free from the shackles of the studio system and retire, but the studio head, Stanley Shriner Hoff (played by Rod Steiger), is not letting him go so easily.

Hoff has some evidence that could ruin Charles's life – he knows about a hit-and-run accident that Charles was involved in, which resulted in the death of a child. Hoff uses this information to blackmail Charles into renewing his contract. In addition, Charles's wife, Marion (played by Ida Lupino), is not happy with their marriage and is having an affair with his best friend, Smiley Coy (played by Wendell Corey).

As Charles struggles with his conscience and comes to terms with his past, his life begins to spiral out of control. The pressure from Hoff, coupled with his troubled marriage, drives him to the brink of a breakdown. The more he tries to break free, the tighter the noose around his neck becomes. Charles is forced to make some tough choices and must decide what is more important – his artistic integrity, his family, or his life.

The Big Knife is a taut and well-crafted film that exposes the dark underbelly of Hollywood. It explores the themes of power, corruption, and morality, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the workings of the movie industry. The film features excellent performances by the cast, especially Jack Palance, who delivers a powerful and nuanced performance as Charles Castle. Ida Lupino is equally impressive as his troubled wife.

The film's direction by Robert Aldrich is top-notch, and the cinematography by Ernest Laszlo captures the mood and atmosphere of the movie perfectly. The film also features a haunting and evocative music score by Frank DeVol that adds to the film's intensity.

Overall, The Big Knife is a must-watch for fans of film-noir and those interested in the workings of Hollywood. It is a gripping and thought-provoking film that offers a glimpse into the dark side of the movie industry.

The Big Knife is a 1955 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 51 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.