One of John Huston's all-time classics depicts a jewel robbery that the perpetrators see as the perfect heist. Huston gave "The Asphalt Jungle" a cast of lesser known actors, forcing the viewer to focus exclusively on the story. As for the cast, there was probably no better actor for the lead role than Sterling Hayden (a few years away from playing a psychotic general in "Dr. Strangelove"). His scowling face and guttural voice fit the character perfectly. You may have heard that Marilyn Monroe stars in the movie. She does, but only in a supporting role (she wasn't yet a star). Nonetheless, her character IS a hottie.As in many heist-themed movies, there's the planning and the execution. The execution actually goes by pretty quickly. Sure enough, the characters discover that there's more to come. Thanks to the editing and cinematography, the whole end sequence is one of the most intense in movie history.All in all, it's definitely a movie that I recommend. The rest of the cast includes Louis Calhern (the ambassador in "Duck Soup"), Jean Hagen (the cacophonous starlet in "Singin' in the Rain"), James Whitmore (the Miracle Gro guy), Sam Jaffe (the doctor in "The Day the Earth Stood Still"), John McIntire (the sheriff in "Psycho"), Marc Lawrence (the hit-man in "Foul Play") and Brad Dexter (one of the Magnificent Seven).In conclusion, it's no skin off my asphalt.

THE ASPHALT JUNGLE is a film with extremely realistic description of the criminals (losers) in a successful enterprise. At the center of the story is a robbery carried out by a group of criminals who, regardless of social position and education essentially losers from the start. The film, which has a distinctly noir style seems natural in a vicious circle of crime in which criminals devour themselves. From the above it can be concluded that the characterization is very good. Taking into account characteristics such as loyalty or duplicity, this would be one of many good noir films.I can only conclude from the criminals in this film are not up, well-planned, robbery. In fact they are not explicitly negative characters. They are quite vulnerable. These are seen when things went wrong. Robbery in the film is on one hand a lifeline for criminals (who could not reach), and on the other side the redemption of the police. Fascinating is the way in which the director merged underground. Rogue and bully, rich and cheeky bookie, an ex-con with a brilliant plan of robbery and well-known lawyer who was left penniless. Each of the characters wants a sort of salvation.Sterling Hayden as Dix Handley is confident, fiery and arrogant bully who just wants to go home. Louis Calhern as Alonzo D. Emmerich is witty and resourceful lawyer, who used all means to get his hands on the spoils and with his mistress fled the country. Sam Jaffe as "Doc" Erwin Riedenschneider is a mastermind and a criminal who acts like he has all the cards up his sleeve. I have to mention Marilyn Monroe as a mistress. Well, beautiful and incredibly hot mistress.Everything seems pretty rotten but basically it is not. This movie is a balanced blend of action and reaction of the same character.

Doc Riedenschneider is looking to hit a big jewel heist worth $1million or more. He gets backing from rich lawyer Alonzo D. Emmerich. They get safe cracker 'box man' Louis Ciavelli, getaway driver Gus Minissi and gunman Dix Handley for the heist. However not everything goes as plan and there is no honor among thieves.This movie has some nice dialog and noir style. I wish it followed one character as the protagonist instead of so many people. It also needs some musical scoring to keep the energy up. The quietness is really noticeable and takes away some of the tension. Marilyn Monroe makes an amazing entrance all curled up on the couch. The heist is good and the double cross is even better. It needs music to drive up the tension.

Sam Jaffe gets out of stir after having served his time and promptly has plans for another heist. But he needs the usual men of experience: the safe-cracker, the driver, etc. Sterling Hayden, Louis Calhern, James Whitmore, Jean Hagen, and Marilyn Monroe costar in this film noir, that has been hailed as one of the best of its kind. I saw it almost 20 years ago and for some reason I remember not liking it much. Normally any story of criminals on the run come to no good (end) and there's nothing to like about them and nothing (thank goodness) to relate to. Maybe that's why I didn't like it, and I was young… But seeing it today, I recognize all the elements that come together in this story of people gone bad. After all, it's the story of people that make any movie interesting and worth watching. Instead of just taking them at face value and shooting at each other, we are allowed into their private worlds. One man speaks of his wife and little girl. One man longs for his youth and his horse, wanting to go home again. Jean Hagen is a standout as she takes in Sterling Hayden and falls in love with him. She was Oscar-nominated for "Singin' in the Rain" but I think she's just as good if not better here. Marilyn Monroe is memorable in three short scenes and holds her own against real pros. And, Sam Jaffe and Sterling Hayden are good too, but perhaps the biggest impression on the viewers is Louis Calhern, who embodies and conveys his character's eccentricities so well. He's so subdued yet so intense and desperate. He always seems to be picture perfect – well dressed, in control, calm, when really it's bottled up. The whole production has the John Huston touch and it really packs a wallop. All the key parts are here to make this a must-see film noir. But in fact it's the story of people and choices and wrong turns that makes this transcend all other heist movies.