The Grissom Gang

Watch The Grissom Gang

"The psychotic killer, the young heiress...the kidnapping that becomes a love story."
  • R
  • 1971
  • 6.7  (1,453)

The Grissom Gang is a crime drama film from 1971 directed by Robert Aldrich. The movie stars Kim Darby, Scott Wilson, and Tony Musante in lead roles. The movie is set in the 1930s and is based on the novel "No Orchids for Miss Blandish" by James Hadley Chase. The story revolves around the Grissom family, who are a gang of ruthless kidnappers led by the enigmatic Ma Grissom (Irene Dailey). They kidnap the beautiful heiress Barbara Blandish (Kim Darby) for a ransom of $500,000, but things don't go as planned. The driver of the getaway car, Slim Grissom (Scott Wilson), falls in love with Barbara and ends up protecting her from his own family.

The Grissom Gang is a dark and violent movie that explores themes of love, family, greed, and redemption. It is a unique blend of film noir, western, and gangster genres that keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat throughout the movie. The movie is set in the depression era, and the director has done a great job of depicting the economic and social conditions of that time.

The performances in this movie are outstanding, with Kim Darby and Scott Wilson stealing the show with their excellent chemistry. Kim Darby gives a nuanced performance as the heiress who learns to stand up for herself and fight for her survival. Scott Wilson is equally impressive as the conflicted kidnapper who realizes that he is in love with his victim. Tony Musante is also excellent as the trigger-happy gangster who brings tension and chaos to the group.

The movie also features a great supporting cast, including Robert Lansing as FBI Agent Dave Fenner, who is on the trail of the Grissom Gang. The other members of the gang are also well-played, with Bonnie Bedelia and Matt Clark delivering memorable performances.

The Grissom Gang is a movie that is not for the faint of heart. It has multiple scenes of violence, including a brutal rape and murder that might be disturbing for some viewers. The movie is also quite long, clocking in at 128 minutes, but it never feels tedious or slow-paced.

One of the strengths of this movie is its excellent cinematography. The movie is shot in a very stylized way, with plenty of close-ups of the actors' faces and slow-motion shots that add to the tension and drama. The soundtrack of the movie is also memorable, with a mix of jazz and country music that sets the tone perfectly.

Overall, The Grissom Gang is a must-watch for fans of crime dramas and gangster movies. It is an intense and gritty movie that explores some dark themes but does it with skill and masterful storytelling. The movie ends on a bittersweet note, leaving the viewer with a lot to think about.

The Grissom Gang
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Description
  • Release Date
    1971
  • MPAA Rating
    R
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.7  (1,453)
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