One of my all time favorite films is finally on Blu-ray from Olive!! The Big Combo is a top notch film noir directed by Joseph Lewis. Cornell Wilde is Detective Diamond, a man who is obsessed with arresting a top gangster named Mr. Brown who seems to have half of the city on his payroll.
Brown is played to the hilt by Richard Conte and I consider it to be one of his best acting jobs ever. Brown's woman, played by Jean Wallace wants out but has no real way of leaving him. Diamond is in love with her as well and wants to get her out, but is foiled at every attempt.
Brown's right hand man is played by Brian Donlevy who tries to overtake Brown and is killed in a very effective scene involving a hearing aid and total silence. It is one of the best scenes in any film noir. Lee Van Cleef and Earl Holliman are two very loyal hitmen who work for Brown, an they find loyalty is never rewarded long.
I cannot say enough goo things about this film. it has an excellent script, tight direction, top of the line actors and photography by John Alton an a rousing score by David Raskin. There hasn't been a film made in the last 20 years or more that can stand up to this cinema classic. The Blu-ray looks fantastic and no deserves better than The Big Combo. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
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