Critic Reviews

Big House, The (1930) Rank 5 Reviews

Expert Review Summary

Movie critics combined give Big House, The (1930) a score of 3.5200 out of 4

based on (5) reviews

Click on the numbers to the right of the graph to see reviews of that rating

Excellent

(3)

Very Good

(2)

Good

(0)

Fair

(0)

Poor

(0)

Reviews by Score:

TV Guide Entertainment Network, Movie Guide

The granddaddy of 'em all. Inspired by a particularly bloody riot that occurred in an Auburn, New York, prison in 1929, THE BIG HOUSE spawned a host of movies like 20,000 YEARS IN SING SING and I AM A FUGITIVE FROM A CHAIN GANG. Grimly realistic and ...read the complete Big House movie review at TV Guide Entertainment Network, Movie Guide

TV Guide's Movie Guide (--)

Grimly realistic and often brutal, it exposes the inhuman conditions and paranoia that deepen criminal resolve among inmates. ...read the complete Big House movie review at TV Guide's Movie Guide (--)

Prison Flicks

...for fans of the genre, this is a must see. It is exciting, well acted, and within the limitations of the times, surprisingly intense. ...read the complete Big House movie review at Prison Flicks

Goatdog's Movies (Michael W. Phillips, Jr.)

The film netted two Oscars, one for Sound Recording and one for Frances Marion's screenplay (but the other three writers apparently didn't win anything). Wallace Beery was also up for Best ...read the complete Big House movie review at Goatdog's Movies (Michael W. Phillips, Jr.)

Channel 4 Film

While the settings and dialogue date the film somewhat, its theme of a society keen to see its criminal locked up yet unwilling to provide adequate, humane facilities is as relevant now as it has always been. ...read the complete Big House movie review at Channel 4 Film