The Defiant Ones
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The Defiant Ones is a 1958 film which tells about two escaped prisoners, one white and one black, who must co-operate in order to survive. It stars Tony Curtis, Sidney Poitier, Theodore Bikel, Cara Williams, Charles McGraw and Lon Chaney Jr..
The movie was adapted by Harold Jacob Smith from the story by Nedrick Young (originally as Nathan E. Douglas). It was directed by Stanley Kramer.
It won Academy Awards for Best Cinematography, Black-and-White and Best Writing, Story and Screenplay - Written Directly for the Screen, and was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Tony Curtis), Best Actor in a Leading Role (Sidney Poitier), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Theodore Bikel), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Cara Williams), Best Director, Best Film Editing and Best Picture.
Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer, of the "Our Gang" comedies, has a small role. It was his last before his death.
Remakes
The Defiant Ones was remade several times:
- In 1972, with gender reversal, as Black Mama, White Mama, starring Pam Grier and Margaret Markov.
- For television in 1986, as The Defiant Ones, starring Robert Urich and Carl Weathers.
- In 1996, as Fled, starring Laurence Fishburne and Stephen Baldwin.