The Defiant Ones

"One of the great ones!"

Sep 27 1958 Approved 1h 36m
Crime, Drama

Two convicts—a white racist and an angry black man—escape while chained to each other.

Plot

When the truck that is transporting convicts has an accident on the road, the inmates John "Joker" Jackson and Noah Cullen that are chained to each other escape. They hate each other but they need to help each other to succeed in their intent of going north to jump in a train and reach freedom. Meanwhile the humane Sheriff Max Muller organizes a posse to track them down in a civilized manner and respecting justice. Joker and Cullen reach a small farm where a lonely woman helps them to get rid of their chains. She offers to drive her car with Joker and her son Billy while Cullen would escape through the swamp to the railroad. But when Joker learns that she sent Cullen to a trap, he leaves her and is shot in the shoulder by Billy. Joker seeks out Cullen to save him and when they meet each other, their former hatred has changed to friendship and respect.

Written by

Nedrick Young, Harold Jacob Smith

Directed by

Stanley Kramer

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Stanley Kramer Productions, Curtleigh Productions

Languages

English

Awards

Won 2 Oscars. 16 wins & 21 nominations total

Scores
# of Votes
18,855
Average Rating
7.6 out of 10
Metascore
69
Popularity
NA