THE BIG STEAL is one of Don Siegel first directorial efforts theatrically released in 1949.
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U.S. Army Lieutenant Duke -Robert Mitchum- Halliday arrives by boat in Vera Cruz, Mexico. Just before leaving it, he has to defend himself against the captain Vincent -William Bendix- Blake who has followed him since he has left the States. Mitchum knocks Blake out ant robs his identity papers. Then he goes to a local hotel in order to search for Fiske, a guy who stole $300,000, the army payroll, while he was bringing the money to the army headquarters. Fiske has just left the hotel when Mitchum arrives but he encounters in Fiske's room Jane Greer, an american import-export secretary, who is also looking for Fiske and the $2,000 she loaned him. Together, they will chase Fiske by car throughout Mexico to Tehuacan where Fiske must meet his local contact. Meanwhile, the real captain Blake has recovered and also chases Mitchum and Greer. A mexican policeman observes with philosophy the cat and mouse chase, waiting for the best moment to make his appearance.
Good film noir shot on location.
The review of this Movie prepared by Daniel Staebler