Noir doesn’t get any more hard-boiled than this scorching tale of vice and retribution, a film that finds director Fritz Lang working at the peak of his Hollywood style—stripped to the bone, simmering with outrage, and fatalistic to the core. A tightly wound Glenn Ford stars as a homicide detective whose investigation into a sprawling crime syndicate becomes a shockingly personal, hate-fueled quest for revenge. Costarring an iconic Gloria Grahame as the mink-coated gangster’s moll with her own axe to grind, and featuring a supporting cast led by a sensationally sleazy Lee Marvin, The Big Heat hits with raw, unstoppable force. BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES • New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack • New audio commentary by film-noir experts Alain Silver and James Ursini • New video essay by critic Farran Smith Nehme on the women in the film • Audio interviews with director Fritz Lang, conducted by film historian Gideon Bachmann and filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich • Interviews with filmmakers Michael Mann and Martin Scorsese • Trailer • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing • PLUS: An essay by author Jonathan Lethem
Product details
Language
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English
Product Dimensions
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2.54 x 2.54 x 2.54 cm; 199.58 g
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5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent Movie With a Great 4K Presentation!
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2025
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This is one of my favorite Film noirs! It has a great story with excelling acting. And this is my favorite Fritz Lang movie, it's well done in all aspects!
I upgraded from the British Indicator 1080p Blu-ray. While I'm still quite pleased with the video and audio quality of that disc, I'm very pleased with this new 4k disc from Criterion! I don't have Dolby Vision (yet), so this is based on 4K resolution and HDR.
Great film! I almost bought the blu ray, but got the early notice of a Criterion edition and I’m so happy I waited. The 4k disc looks amazing and the blu ray includes the usual Criterion exclusives. There is another special edition blu ray release that is very good, but I would have likely double dipped? I hate doing that, but with recent Criterion 4k releases like Drug Store Cowboy, The Grifters, and now The Big Heat I’m a sucker for these great films with the updated 4k only discs which optimize the entire disc and new extras! If you’re a fan of Glen Ford and Gloria Graham it’s a must add to any physical condition. Currently the Criterion 50% off sale is on and 鶹 has snuck in a few 60% off 4k discs, but they don’t stay available long. It’s rare to get 60% off Criterion so if it’s one you really want don’t hesitate!
4.0 out of 5 stars"The Big Heat" deals with the influence rich men have on powerful politicians.
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2025
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There are some surprises in "The Big Heat." A major character's spouse dies in an explosion. There are later moments of violence that occur off-screen. A shot of boiling coffee is followed by an unseen character's scream. Lee Marvin is very good as the villain. Did you know that he was a sniper during WW2? It changes the way you look at his characters over the years. Glenn Ford is stoic and determined as the hero. Very good but not great film noire.
5.0 out of 5 starsThe Big Heat (1953) Hits Blu-Ray
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2025
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The Criterion Collection releases on Blu-ray this 1953 film noir classic directed by Fritz Lang and starring Glenn Ford as a Police sergeant investigating the suicide of someone in the department and winds up uncovering corruption on the force involving a known gangster and his mob. His investigations then endanger not just his life, but those of his daughter and in particular his wife...
Looking superb in HD, a big upgrade from the 2001 DVD, porting over the theatrical trailer, (minus the vintage advertising photo gallery) but including many new extras like an audio commentary, with archival and new interviews, as well as an enclosed booklet. Good film with fine direction and cast (including Gloria Grahame and Lee Marvin) holds up well, with one jarring scene of violence that still packs a punch.