Curtis and Poitier are fantastic as two convicts chained together who escape after a truck accident and try to make their way through the woods and across swamps and rivers in their bid to escape. They meet some interesting folks along the way. Of course, Curtis is a racist, while Poitier is offended and morally superior--despite both being convicted violent criminals. The dialogue is superb and both men give award-quality performances. Both were nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor, but lost to David Niven. The screenplay and cinematography both won. The swamp, river crossing, mud pit, and so on are incredible scenes, as are the actor's mud-cloaked wardrobe. It seems a little bit dated now, but contains notable elements, such as Theodore Bikel's Southern sheriff who is not a racist caricature (how did he ever get elected?) and tries to do his job his own steady but relentless way. Lon Chaney, whom I have never thought could act, also turns in a great performance in one of the movie's most pivotal sequences. Also, Curtis doesn't sound like he's from the Bronx!

(My second movie in a row where people are handcuffed together, after The 39 Steps. I'd rather be chained to Madeleine Carroll than to Curtis or Poitier!) ( )