Customer Reviews

Thieves' Highway (The Criterion Collection)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm a big fan of both film noir and commentary tracks, and this disk has the best commentary of any film noir I've yet seen. It's done by Alain Silver, author of several books on noir, and coeditor of the "you gotta have it" book on noir: "Film Noir; An Encyclopedic Reference to the American Style." I was particularly impressed with the professional production values of the commentary. Silver will mention a key piece of dialog, and precisely on cue he'll stop talking and the sound level of the dialog will come up so you can hear what he was talking about. Several times I found myself wondering how they timed things so neatly.

Silver does a great job of pointing out the thousand details that make the movie work as a movie, the turns of plot that are typical of film noir, the use of darkness and shadow, the framing of scenes and placement of the actors, etc., etc.

Other reviewers have put in their vote for the quality of Thieves' Highway as a compelling and well made movie. I'd like to add my plug for the commentary track. In addition to being darn good entertainment, this is a movie that rewards careful examination and thoughtful reflection. Silver's comments are terrific guide to that reward.

Vultures prey upon the dead, as they are a vital part of the ecosystem that helps with environmental sanitization. Humans, however, are a different story, as they prey upon the living, the dead, and sometimes kill to accomplish their desired result. The reasons to why a person would go to great lengths to achieve desired results varies from person to person, but it often has to do with money. Jules Dassin's story Theives' Highway is an illustration of humans and their greed, which appears to be the motivation factor to break the compassionate fabric of moral value, ethics, and kindness in the true spirit of film noir.

Unlike film noir Thieves' Highway opens with Nick Garcos' (Richard Conte) homecoming during a sunny afternoon accompanied by hearing his father singing in the kitchen. Nick has brought presents to all of his family members and a bundle of money, which he has earned in order to settle down. The money should help Nick get married to Polly (Barbara Lawrence) and go into business with her father. However, this joyous moment is suddenly halted, as Nick finds out that his father has lost his legs.

Nick's father informs him of how he lost his legs, as he had done business with a certain Mr. Figlia (Lee J. Cobb). The story that Nick hears makes him cringe in anger, as he understands that Mr. Figlia had set up his dad through a dubious plan. When Nick heard the whole story he decides to return to his father's truck, as the man, Ed Prentiss (Millard Mitchell), who bought it had not yet paid for the truck. However, Nick goes into business with Ed and together they pick up some Golden Delicious apples that he intends to take to Mr. Figlia.

The life of a trucker means long hours, deadly and financial dangers, and very little sleep, as life on the road cuts between the driver and their family while they try to find a way to make a buck for their near and dear. Nick decides that this is what he wants to do, as Ed and he pick up two trucks full of apples in Fresno. The apples are to be taken to the wholesale produce market in San Francisco, which is described as a 36-hour drive.

In San Francisco the audience gets to follow Nick on his quest to find Mr. Figlia, an idea that never seemed to be fully thought through. Eventually he finds him and discovers that he is the man that he suspected him to be, a ruthless businessman that shows no consideration for anyone. The only thing that he seems to care about is the money he makes, which he is not willing to part with.

They Drive by Night (1940) offers a similar cinematic experience as Dassin's film, as it also depicts the struggles of truck drivers. However, Raoul Walsh's story is more glamorous, as the tale slowly drifts away from the tough life of being a truck driver. Dassin's story focuses on the job and on the characters within the environment in which they exists. They cannot escape to a better place, as it is their destiny to be where they are while they have to make the most out of it

A valuable side note is that the year after Thieves' Highway was released Jules Dassin was identified as communist by Edward Dmytryk, which made him blacklisted. As a result Hollywood lost one of their most promising directors and Dassin decided moved to France where he continued to make films. He made great films such as Rififi (1955) and Never on Sunday (1960). In the awareness of Dassin being blacklisted the audience gets to experience the films he made prior being blacklisted, which have terrific cinematic value. Thieves' Highway is one of these films that he left for coming generations to enjoy and ponder.

Included on the special features for THIEVES' HIGHWAY is a short - 5 minutes or so - excerpt from a proposed documentary on writer A. I. Bezzerides, novelist and screenwriter. Bezzerides wrote the novel (Thieves' Market) and the script for this one, as well as the earlier novel Long Haul, which was filmed as the George Raft/Humphrey Bogart vehicle `They Drive by Night.' Both, I guess, can be called proletariat crime thrillers. THIEVES' HIGHWAY stars Richard Conte - the underrated Richard Conte - as Nick Garcos, a young man who returns home from the sea to discover that his father was crippled while hauling produce and selling it to the unscrupulous Mike Figlia (Lee J. Cobb.) Nick believes Figlia was directly responsible for his father's injuries, and so THIEVES' HIGHWAY is, to a great extent, an odyssey of revenge.

The documentary clip tells us Bezzerides worked as a trucker for a while, and I believe it. This one feels like it was written from the inside. Nick, along with veteran trucker Ed Prentiss (Millard Mitchell) buys a load, a first-of-the-season load, of golden delicious apples and points his truck towards San Francisco and an appointment with Figlia. Trailing them is a couple of mercenary truckers played by Jack Oakie and Joseph Pevney. In San Francisco Nick will meet the good bad-girl Rica (Valentina Cortesa,) who will play a pivotal role in the fight between Nick and Figlia.

This is Jules Dassin's last American film, and it's a beauty. There are some great shots - Rica being chased through a dark alley, a loaded truck rolling over and spilling its load over a wide-angle hillside - and more than a few outstanding performances. What sets this one apart, and above, most of its competitors is the realistic treatment it applies to the characters. Save for Figlia, who is pure evil, the people in this one grow and change and shift allegiances. Film historian Alain Silver provides a pertinent and informative commentary.

How anyone could rate this movie story less than 5 stars is beyond me. The story never drags. Holds your interest all the way through. As good as "On The Waterfront" within its own story. Also the DVD has exceptional picture quality.

This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.

"Thieves' Highway" is one of the most impressive moves I have seen in the film noir genre.

It is about a young man just home from the navy and his attempt to get revenge on a merchant that swindled his father and caused him to lose both legs. He spends his money to get a job as a truck driver and he makes a large delivery of apples to the merchant. But there are people trying to sabotage his efforts.

The film is well made, has great acting, and some very good on location work at the market square in San Francisco.

The special features are great also.

There is a theatrical trailer, an interview with director Jules Dassin, and optional audio commentary by Alain Silver, an expert on film noir. there is also a trailer for the upcoming documentary "The Long Haul of A.I. Bezzerides", a biography of A.I. Bezzerides who wroe the screenplay and novel that the film is based on.

This is a must see film!

I checked out this film only because it was directed by the great Jules Dassin and I was pleasantly surprised. The film is very entertaining and features some scenes that are among the best directed by Dassin. I actually enjoyed it more than the better-known They Drive By Night. Richard Conte does a serviceable job as the leading man, but the film's acting honors really go to the cast of supporting players, which includes Lee J. Cobb and Jack Oakie. I was especially moved by Valentina Cortese's performance as Rica, the prostitute. Barbara Lawrence's role as Polly, the leading man's girlfriend, is underwritten and doesn't make much sense, but in the DVD interview Dassin explains that the part was only intended to make Rica sympathetic. (As usual, Lawrence is very good, though.) He also explains the reason for the few other scenes in the film that seem inconsistent with the general tone of the film (a reprimand by a policeman and the last scene). In short, Thieves Highway is a very good noir by a great director, the DVD transfer is excellent, and the film is really worth checking out.

"Thieves' Highway" is based on A.I. "Buzz" Bezzerides' novel "Thieves' Market", inspired by the authors' experiences as a long-haul trucker. The novel was released the same year as the movie, and Bezzerides wrote the screenplay as well, which deftly adapts the novel for an hour-and-a-half Production Code-compliant film. Bezzerides' most noted contribution to film noir was probably his screenplay for the 1955 film "Kiss Me Deadly", which masterfully undermined its source material -Mickey Spillane's novel- to memorable effect. "Thieves' Highway" was director Jules Dessin's last Hollywood film, before he fell victim to the blacklist. Stunning documentary-style cinematography lends realism and beauty to the working-class environment of rural California and the San Francisco produce market. The composition and mise en scene of some shots are perfection. Exquisite cinematography, together with a great cast and characters, make it one of Dessin's greatest. Producer Darryl Zanuck tacked an implausible ending onto the film without Dessin's knowledge, and that is the film's weak point.

Nick Garcos (Richard Conte) returns to his family after traveling the world as a sailor, bearing gifts from abroad for everyone, including an engagement ring for his girlfriend Polly (Barbara Lawrence). But he finds that his father was crippled in an accident shortly after a San Francisco wholesaler, Mike Figlia (Lee. J. Cobb), got him drunk and neglected to pay him for a load of tomatoes. Determined to avenge his father's injuries, Nick visits Ed Kinney (Millard Mitchell), who now owns his father's truck. Ed proposes that Nick go in with him in purchasing 2 loads of the first crop of golden delicious apples, which they can truck to the city and sell at great profit. Nick agrees, as long as the city is San Francisco. Nick arrives in San Francisco several hours before Ed, and finds out quickly that Figlia plays dirty.

Lee J. Cobb and Richard Conte both turn in charismatic, emotionally energetic performances. Conte, something of a sex symbol of the day, plays Nick as a determined, tough, and angry proletarian hero, whose determination almost turns to mania. Lee J. Cobb is really something to see. He embraces Figlia's villainy and seems to be having a great time being a liar and a crook. Figlia's unhesitant corruption is captivating. The female characters are to some extent plot devices, but they're not easily forgotten. Italian actress Valentina Cortesa plays Rica, a woman employed by Figlia. Rica initially has all the markings of a femme fatale. She is very forward, mocking, world-weary, but somehow sympathetic as we get the impression she is used to being treated badly and expects nothing else. The audience is clearly supposed to dislike Nick's fiancée Polly. But she is only looking out for her interests, and Barbara Lawrence was so good at playing self-possessed but unlikable women.

The DVD (Criterion Collection 2005): This is a digitally restored print of the film. Bonus features include 2 featurettes, a theatrical trailer (2 minutes), and an audio commentary. "Dessin Interview" (10 minutes) is a recent interview with Jules Dessin in which he talks about story, cast, and making the film. "The Long Haul of A.I. Bezzerides" (4 minutes) is a trailer for an as yet unfinished documentary about Bezzerides. It includes some interview footage with the author. The audio commentary is by author and film noir theorist Alain Silver, who delivers a nonstop scene-by-scene analysis of the film's style, themes, characters, and comparisons to the book. The commentary is packed with information, and there is a scene index for the commentary as well as the film.

Leftist film director Jules Dassin has four(4) classic film noirs to his credit before his exile to Europe,due to the political blacklist.BRUTE FORCE-tense prison drama;THE NAKED CITY-NYC cops solve a murder; NIGHT AND THE CITY-with Richard Widmark as crooked wrestling promoter Harry Fabian, and this great film THIEVES' HIGHWAY starring Richard Conte,Lee J.Cobb,Millard Mitchell,Jack Oakie, Valentina Cortesse and as Conte's father Morris Carnovsky,who was also backlisted.But it is Cobb who walks away the film with his scene stealing performance as crooked produce middleman Mike Figlia.While watching the film you get the impression that Cobb is greatly enjoying every moment on screen as the amoral Figlia.
After returning home,from a stint at sea,Nick Garcos(Conte) discovers that his father who is an independent produce truck driver, has lost his legs due to a trucking accident that may have been helped along by Figlias henchmen(Edwin Max & George Tyne) and that Figlias men may also have robbed him of the money Figlia gave him for a produce load.
After a hassle about who owns whats left of the Garcos family truck Conte teams up with Millard Mitchell to deliver the first seasonal shipment of apples.After arriving at the produce market a battle of brains and brawn develops between Conte and Cobb(along with his henchmen)Valentina Cortese,a whore,payed by Cobb to divert Contes attention while Cobb "sells" Contes goods, turns out to be a hooker with a heart of gold and her character is contrasted to Contes WASPY intended Barbara Lawrence.
The excellent CRITERION COLLECTION DVD includes an excellent commetary,an interview with Dassin and another interview and documentary with writer/sceenwriter A.I.Bezzerides.

Richard Conte stars as Nick Garcos a mechanic on a freighter who arrived home with a wad of hard earned cash to invest in a business in Jules Dassin's pretty good film noir "Thieves Highway". His homecoming is tempered by the discovery that his dad, a produce trucker had been swindled on the delivery of a load of tomatoes. The guilty party, Mike Figlia. a crooked produce merchant played superlatively by the always excellent Lee J. Cobb arranged a road accident for Conte's dad where he lost both of his legs.

The enraged Conte also learns that his dad sold his ramshackle truck to Ed Prentiss played by Millard Mitchel and had yet to be paid. He hustled down to Mitchell's place to take back the truck. Instead he and Mitchell partnered in hauling a precious load of golden delicious apples that they hoped to sell in the produce market. Using two trucks they befall many misfortunes on the road to San Francisco where Conte plans on getting retribution against the dishonest Cobb.

Cobb attempts to rob Conte but he is helped by Valentina Cortese playing Rica, a girl hired by Figlia to distract Conte while Cobb's flunkies unload his cargo. Cobb eventually gets his just due and Conte falls in love with Cortese.

While this wasn't one of Dassin's best offerings "Thieves Highway" definitely had its merits. The filming done in and around the streets of San Francisco added that effective noir touch. Character actor Jack Oakie played a nice supporting role as Slob, a rival trucker.

The Criterion Collection releases a select number of films every year on DVD; new and old films ("The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou", "Wages of Fear"), American and Foreign Films ("Riffiffi", "The Third Man", "The Seven Samurai", "Fanny and Alexander"), Documentaries ("Grey Gardens", "The Complete Monterey Pop Festival") and so much more. That one company would release such a wide, influential and interesting series of films is enough to raise that company above the rest; many of the films released by Criterion are unavailable elsewhere, and don't even make it to the repertory circuit. However, Criterion rises above even this. Each of their DVDs are created from the best negatives available, or they restore the negative. But that still isn't enough. They frequently include interviews with the director (if the director is dead, they include interviews made before they died for other reasons and outlets), documentaries, trailers, television shows about the films, radio plays of the films, and more. DVDs from the Criterion Collection are a film lovers dream.

You won't like every film released by Criterion; some of the films are just plain weird, even for me, and I think "The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover" is one of the best films ever made. Memo to Criterion: Consider the film suggested. But the collection of films, as a whole, is invaluable. They are more expensive than other DVDs, but consider the work that went into them and they are worth it.

One of their newest releases is "Thieves' Highway" directed by Jules Dassin ("Brute Force", Burt Lancaster's second film), one of the many people affected by the Hollywood Blacklist of the 50s.

Nick Gracos (Richard Conte) returns home to Fresno, from a long journey at sea. An engineer on a ship, he traveled around the world. Returning home with an armful of exotic gifts and enough money to start his own business and marry his girlfriend, he finds that his father, Yanko (Morris Carnovsky) had an accident in his truck, rendering him unable to work. The circumstances surrounding the accident are fishy, but lead to Mike Figlia (Lee J. Cobb, fresh off his Broadway success, "Death of A Salesman"), a San Francisco produce merchant. Determined to extract revenge, Nick buys a truck load of Golden Delicious apples, the first of the season, and starts driving north to meet Figlia.

I know, I know. A truckload of apples? How exciting. But this is a film noir made in 1949. That is important for two reasons. First of all, in the late 40s, a large portion of our commerce was still delivered by truck, by men who drove for two days straight to be the first to make the delivery. Being first meant that you were paid more. It doesn't sound extremely thrilling, but as depicted in the film, you get a real sense of the cut throat aspect of this life, the hardness of it. The other important factor to remember is that this is Film Noir. The characters are going to be dark, dark, dark. Even Nick, who is the hero, will have occasional moments of weakness and trouble. Because it is Noir, the villain will be crooked as heck. Figlia is unabashedly crooked and always working an angle. All other characters will have shades of gray making them interesting.

"Thieves' Highway" is not the best Film Noir I have ever seen, but it is a little seen film that should have a larger audience. My main problem with the film is that the acting is very, shall we say, stylized. During this period, many Italian and French actors and actresses began appearing in American films, to make them more international, more exotic. Unfortunately, they frequently played prostitutes and Valentina Cortese is no exception. She plays Rica, a woman who lives in a hotel on the San Francisco Wharf, near the produce markets. She wanders around looking for marks. When she spots Nick, she invites him to her room, to rest, and to watch his truck. How seductive. She is never truly believable. Why would she be in a hotel in this area? The story would also have us believe that she and Nick develop a relationship. Again, didn't believe it.

The best performance is from Richard Conte. He is very convincing and subdued as Nick Gracos. Upon his return home, his exuberance shows. But unlike the two actors, playing his parents, he doesn't have a fake, thick accent or throw his hands up repeatedly. Nick is someone we might actually meet on the street, walking by, head down. That is the best thing about Film Noir. The main characters, in the best examples of the genre, are people we might meet in our everyday life. They are normal people trapped in a hellish nightmare. As Nick learns about his father's dilemma and decides what he has to do, he formulates these plans quietly, and convincingly. Other characters are burying their heads into shoulders to hide their tears and facial expressions, as though someone flicked a switch and said "Emote!" Conte moves quietly, forcefully through the story.

The majority of the film takes place at night, during the drive from Fresno to San Francisco and after the arrival at the docks, before the sun rises, when all of the buyers are swarming through the merchants, looking for produce. The streets of the dock are dark and forbidding and the perfect setting for a bunch of crooks trying to pull one over on small truck drivers.

Everything is depicted in a very gritty, realistic way. When Nick and his partner Ed (Millard Mitchell), show up at the farmer's grove, to load up the apples, Ed tries to cheat the farmers, without Nick's knowledge. The farmer begins pulling the boxes off of the truck, throwing them to the ground. Soon, Nick arrives and puts a stop to it, telling Ed to pay the right price. The farmers are very convincing. As Nick is driving north, throughout the night, Dassin creates a real sense of what it was like driving these trucks, on small highways, throughout the night. As the action centers on the Produce Market, it appears as though the film was shot on location. Everything appears very authentic, very real, adding to the feel of the film as a whole.

One of the great things about the film is how we hate Mike Figlia long before we ever set eyes on him. After listening to Yanko's story, it is clear to everyone that Figlia is crooked, even if Yanko doesn't want to believe it. Then, when Nick decides to put his life on hold, to get his father's money back, we feel even more hatred towards him. Nick is a nice guy, back from a hard journey, who just wants to settle down with his girl, Polly (Barbara Lawrence). Instead, he has to find a truck, find something to buy, drive it up to San Francisco, sell it for a profit, hopefully get some sort of confession or the money out of Figlia and return home. By the time we meet Figlia (Cobb), we already hate him, but we want him to be different. When he isn't, we are introduced to one of the more interesting Noir villains. He is almost determined to con every truck driver who tries to sell him something. When Nick first arrives at the dock, he asks people how to find him. Everyone warns him against doing business with Figlia, but he is determined. There is good reason to stay away from the crooked produce salesman. He tells the truck drivers one thing and then immediately tells others something else. Nick parks his truck in front of Figlia's stand and soon learns that he has a suspicious flat tire. Figlia tells him he can leave it there. As soon as Nick walks away, he reports the truck to the police. This is a minor example of the machinations, but a good one.

This is the last film Dassin would work on in Hollywood, before moving to Europe, to escape the Blacklist. "Thieves" is definitely worth watching, but it lacks some crucial elements to make it a truly memorable film. For all of the realism of the action and the surroundings, I find it difficult to believe the acting of some of the actors, especially Cortese. More subtle, believable acting from all of the actors would have helped make "Thieves' Highway" a great film, instead of just an interesting film.