The defiant ones is by far one of the oldest movies i have watched to date and i loved every moment Tony Curtis as the joker was amazing i loved his intense aggression and at the end of the movie he understands and empathizes with Cullen. Sidney Poitier was another stand out cast member of this film with a believable character who is an African American who is trying to live happy but is constantly getting beaten and abused by the whites such a powerful message about equality. overall the story is powerful at times funny but it's a classic which in a era of some great movies The defiant ones is a classic which can be enjoyed by all.

This is a perfect film. Deep with poetic subtlety. It won best screenplay and best cinematography at the 1958 Oscars. The story is effortlessly vital. Sidney Poitier's performance is incredible. There are no words to describe it. He expresses himself meaningfully through small gestures. I also like this side of Tony Curtis. He keeps an echo of his trademark charm while showing the ruggedness and skepticism of a convict. There's even a small vignette which relates the life of a 50s housewife to that of a prisoner. The cinematography is exceptional. The shots blend noir and American naturalism. Look out for the close up of Sydney and Tony's hands in the last scene. I must have rewound and watched it four times... Possibly the greatest ending to an American film. Highly recommended.

When the truck that is transporting convicts has an accident on the road, the inmates John "Joker" Jackson (Tony Curtis) and Noah Cullen (Sidney Poitier) 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 (Theodore Bikel) 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 driver 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. "The Defiant Ones" is an unforgettable anti-racism classic when the United States were openly racist. Stanley Kramer is responsible for two of the best anti-racism movies, "The Defiant Ones" and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner", both with Sidney Poitier. Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier have memorable performances. I would like to know how the reception of this movie from the audiences in 1958 was. My vote is eight.Title (Brazil): "Acorrentados" ("Chained")

Stanley Kramer directed this racial drama that stars Tony Curtis as John 'Joker' Jackson and Sidney Poiter as Noah Cullen, two convicts on a chain gang chained together who escape after the truck carrying them has an accident. They flee into the woods, where at first their mutual hatred makes it difficult to get along(and evade recapture). However, over time, as they must cooperate, they develop a mutual(if grudging) respect for each other, even as they are intercepted by vigilantes(led by Claude Akins) who want to hang them, especially Noah, but with the help of a friendly local(played by Lon Chaney Jr.), they are freed, but when Joker meets an attractive single mother, he is tempted to part with Noah, especially when their chain is literally broken... Good drama with fine acting and direction, though loses some credibility toward the end, which is also quite abrupt!