A cornerstone of American film noir, The Big Combo remains one of the genre's most visually striking and uncompromising works. Directed by Joseph H. Lewis (Gun Crazy), the film follows obsessive police lieutenant Leonard Diamond (Cornel Wilde) as he wages a personal crusade against the elusive and sadistic crime boss Mr. Brown (Richard Conte).
Driven by equal parts justice and desire, Diamond's pursuit draws him into the shadows of a corrupt city--and into the orbit of Brown's cool, haunted mistress, Susan Lowell (Jean Wallace, Wilde's real-life wife). As Diamond descends deeper, the line between duty and obsession blurs, culminating in one of noir's most chilling confrontations.
Celebrated for its bold cinematography by John Alton and its daring depiction of psychological and physical cruelty, The Big Combo shattered taboos of its time and influenced generations of filmmakers -- from Scorsese to Tarantino. Presented here in a stunning 4K restoration for its 70th anniversary, this is The Big Combo as it's never been seen before: raw, sensual, and remarkably modern.
Bonus Materials
New Audio Commentary with acclaimed film historian and noir expert Imogen Sara Smith.
New Interview with celebrated author and critic Philippe Garnier.
How a Man Makes a Living — How a Little Combo Made The Big Combo: New video essay by Scout Tafoya.
The Crooked Way (1949) – Another brutal noir with spectacular expressionistic cinematography by John Alton with unfiltered filming on the 1940s post-war streets of Los Angeles.
Audio Commentary with Eddie Muller, the “Czar of Noir” and founder of the Film Noir Foundation.
Geoff Andrew, respected critic and curator, on The Big Combo.
Wagon Wheel Joe: A fascinating video appreciation of Lewis’s dynamic camerawork and recurring motifs, tracing his evolution from B-movie craftsman to master stylist.