Watch I Want to Live!

I Want to Live! is a gripping and emotional drama film from 1958, directed by Robert Wise and starring Susan Hayward in the lead role. The movie is based on the true story of Barbara Graham, who was convicted and sentenced to death for murder in 1955. The film opens with Barbara, a prostitute and small-time criminal, being arrested for her involvement in a robbery and murder. Despite her claims of innocence, Barbara is swiftly found guilty and sentenced to death by gas chamber. With the help of her lawyer, Richard S. Tibrow (played by Simon Oakland), Barbara fights to clear her name and prove her innocence in the face of overwhelming evidence against her. The movie unfolds through a series of flashbacks, as Tibrow investigates Barbara's past and the events leading up to the crime. Through these flashbacks, we gain a deeper understanding of Barbara's troubled and tumultuous life, which is marked by poverty, abuse, and addiction. We see Barbara struggle to make ends meet, lured into a life of crime by a desire for money and security. Yet despite her circumstances, Barbara retains a fierce spirit and a sense of dignity, fighting to survive and provide for her family. As the story progresses, we see Barbara's relationships with those around her evolve and deepen. She begins to rely on Tibrow for support and guidance, forming a close bond with him that hints at a deeper emotional connection. Meanwhile, her relationships with her mother and son become strained as they struggle to accept her choices and her guilt. Throughout the film, Susan Hayward delivers a powerful and unforgettable performance as Barbara. She inhabits the role completely, capturing both the vulnerability and the strength of the character with raw honesty and intensity. Hayward's performance earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress, cementing her status as one of the most talented and respected actresses of her generation. The film's themes are weighty and thought-provoking, touching on issues of justice, morality, and redemption. It presents a searing critique of the criminal justice system and the death penalty, while also exploring the complex emotions and motivations that drive individuals to commit crime. Overall, I Want to Live! is a timeless and compelling film that continues to resonate with audiences today. It is an unflinching portrait of a woman on the brink, struggling to navigate a hostile and unforgiving world. Through the power of Susan Hayward's performance and Robert Wise's expert direction, it remains a must-see classic of American cinema.