Crashout

Crashout

1955. USA. Directed by Lewis R. Foster. Screenplay by Foster, Hal E. Chester, Cy Endfield [uncredited]. With William Bendix, Arthur Kennedy, Luther Adler. Film Noir Foundation founder and president Eddie Muller kicks off his noir selection with Crashout. He writes, “Following a Colorado prison riot and mass escape, six desperate men remain at large. Led by the wounded and vicious Vance Duff (Bendix), the men hide out in a cave until the dragnet moves on. Vance agrees to give five of the convicts a share of the $180,000 he stashed from a bank robbery if they promise not to abandon him. The murderous group embarks on a deadly odyssey in pursuit of the cash—eluding the manhunt, terrorizing innocent citizens, and double-crossing each other to the bitter end. Written by blacklisted Cy Endfield, and made by his former colleague Hal E. Chester after Endfield relocated to England, Crashout is a wickedly entertaining bust-out for its formidable cast, as unheralded director Foster packs the piece with astoundingly creative and shockingly brutal set-pieces.” Courtesy Paramount Pictures. 89 min.