Brute Force (1947)

 Jules Dassin's "Brute Force"


Jules Dassin's 1947 film "Brute Force" is about what you would expect from a prison break film. Morally complex prisoners, unjust and corrupt security guards, a strategized plan for escape, and an eventual climactic uprising. That being said, "Brute Force" seems to cement these typical cruxes before they became popularized. To top that off, the climactic uprising at the end of the film is surprisingly violent for a 1940s Hollywood film. I very much enjoyed the picture and enjoyed the victory over tyranny that is achieved by the prisoners. In this case, the victory over tyranny does not come in the form of actually escaping. Rather, it is defeating the sadistic prison guard who does nothing but brutalize and torment the prisoners. It is a solid flick and I commend it.



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