The Defiant Ones (1958)

Curtis and Poitier

'The Defiant Ones' is an exciting adventure movie made in 1958, directed by Stanley Kramer and starring Sidney Poitier and Tony Curtis, with Theodore Bikel, Cara Williams, Charles McGraw, and Lon Chaney, Jr.. It tells the story of two prisoners, one a white racist and one black, who escape, handcuffed together, and who must learn to co-operate in order to survive. The movie features a memorable final scene when the black prisoner sacrifices his own freedom to stay with the white prisoner who has now become his friend and comrade.

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The movie's theme of racial co-operation was daring for its time. It was successful on release both commercially and critically and has since come to be regarded as a classic. It received eight Academy Award nominations and won two - for Best Cinematography, Black-and-White, and Best Writing, Story and Screenplay.

The acting is first class throughout with brilliant performances from Poitier and Curtis and fine support from the rest of the cast.