THE BIG KNIFE, adapted from Clifford Odets's gripping play, is a dark, cynical probing of the film industry's behemoth studio system. When matinee idol Charlie Castle (Jack Palance) refuses to renew his studio contract, his career begins to take a turn for the worse. As autocratic movie mogul Stanley Hoff (Rod Steiger) stoops to blackmail to force him back onto the lot, Castle must also deal with being supported by his angry ex-wife, Marion (Ida Lupino). Director Robert Aldrich (THE DIRTY DOZEN) enfolds his critique of Hollywood's warped dream factory in a melancholic and mysterious psychodrama, and Palance is unnervingly convincing in the part of the washed-up Tinseltown star.

Clifford Odets' play originally appeared on Broadway in 1949, with John Garfield in the leading role (taken by Jack Palance in the film).

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Full Frame - 1.33
Single Side - Dual Layer
Audio:
Dolby Digital Mono - English
Additional Release Material:
Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer

Jack Palance: American Actor
Ida Lupino: American Actress, director, HIGH SIERRA
Shelley Winters: Oscar winning actress, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK (1959)
Rod Steiger: American actor, IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (1967)
Wendell Corey: American Actor
Everett Sloane: American Character Actor
Jean Hagen: American Character Actress
Ilka Chase: Columnist/Writer/Actress
Wesley Addy: American actor, HUSH, HUSH SWEET CHARLOTTE

Robert Aldrich: American Director

Robert Aldrich: American Director

James Poe: American Screenwriter

Frank de Vol: 

Michael Luciano: American Editor