# The Asphalt Jungle

> 1950 film by John Huston

**Wikidata**: [Q728485](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q728485)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Asphalt_Jungle)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-asphalt-jungle

## Summary
The Asphalt Jungle is a 1950 American heist film directed by John Huston, based on the novel by W.R. Burnett. The film is considered a classic of the film noir genre and was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

## Key Facts
- Release date: January 1, 1950 (premiere), May 12, 1950 (general release), June 15, 1950 (New York)
- Director: John Huston
- Based on: Novel by W.R. Burnett
- Genre: Heist film, Film noir, Drama
- Country of origin: United States
- Production company: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Runtime: 112 minutes
- IMDb rating: 8.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes score: 98%
- Budget: $1,232,000
- Box office: $2,137,000 (domestic), $1,077,000 (international)
- National Film Registry selection: 1990
- National Board of Review: Top Ten Films (1950)
- Academy Award nomination: Best Director (John Huston)

## FAQs
**What is The Asphalt Jungle about?**
The Asphalt Jungle follows a group of criminals who plan and execute a jewel heist, only to have their carefully laid plans unravel due to greed, betrayal, and bad luck. The film explores themes of honor among thieves, the corrupting influence of money, and the harsh realities of criminal life in post-war America.

**Who are the main actors in The Asphalt Jungle?**
The film stars Sterling Hayden as Dix Handley, Louis Calhern as Alonzo D. Emmerich, Jean Hagen as Doll Conovan, James Whitmore as Gus Minissi, Sam Jaffe as Erwin "Doc" Riedenschneider, and Marilyn Monroe in one of her early roles as Angela Phinlay.

**Why is The Asphalt Jungle considered a film noir classic?**
The Asphalt Jungle is considered a film noir classic due to its dark visual style, morally ambiguous characters, and exploration of criminal underworld themes. John Huston's direction, the film's complex plot structure, and its examination of human nature under pressure all contribute to its status as a defining work of the genre.

**What awards and recognition did The Asphalt Jungle receive?**
The film was selected as one of the National Board of Review's Top Ten Films of 1950 and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director (John Huston). In 1990, it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

**How did The Asphalt Jungle influence later heist films?**
The Asphalt Jungle established many conventions of the heist genre that became standard in later films, including the detailed planning sequence, the assembly of the criminal team with specialized skills, the execution of the heist itself, and the inevitable betrayal or complications that lead to the plan's failure. Its influence can be seen in countless subsequent heist films.

## Why It Matters
The Asphalt Jungle matters as a groundbreaking work that helped define the heist film genre and elevated film noir to new artistic heights. John Huston's direction brought unprecedented realism and psychological depth to the crime film, moving away from the glamorized portrayals of criminals common in earlier Hollywood productions. The film's exploration of moral ambiguity, the corrosive effects of greed, and the harsh realities of criminal life resonated with post-war audiences and influenced generations of filmmakers. Its selection for the National Film Registry underscores its lasting cultural and historical significance, while its technical innovations in cinematography and narrative structure continue to be studied by film scholars and emulated by contemporary directors.

## Notable For
- Establishing the template for modern heist films with its detailed planning sequence and team assembly
- Featuring one of Marilyn Monroe's earliest significant film roles
- John Huston's masterful direction that balanced genre conventions with serious dramatic themes
- Realistic portrayal of criminal psychology and the underworld
- Influence on countless subsequent heist and crime films
- Selection for preservation in the United States National Film Registry
- Complex character development within a genre framework
- Innovative cinematography that enhanced the film's noir atmosphere
- Adaptation of W.R. Burnett's novel with fidelity to its themes while enhancing its cinematic potential
- Exploration of post-war American society and its moral complexities

## Body
### Production and Development
The Asphalt Jungle was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and directed by John Huston, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Ben Maddow (though Maddow was uncredited due to the Hollywood blacklist). The film was based on the 1949 novel of the same name by W.R. Burnett, who had previously written the novel Little Caesar, another influential crime story. Production began in late 1949 with a budget of $1,232,000, which was substantial for a crime film at the time but reflected MGM's confidence in Huston's vision.

### Casting and Performances
The film featured an ensemble cast led by Sterling Hayden as Dix Handley, a tough but honorable ex-convict. Louis Calhern delivered a memorable performance as the corrupt lawyer Alonzo D. Emmerich, while Sam Jaffe portrayed the mastermind "Doc" Riedenschneider with intellectual sophistication. Jean Hagen's portrayal of Doll Conovan earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Marilyn Monroe appeared in a small but significant role as Angela Phinlay, the mistress of Calhern's character, marking one of her first major film appearances and helping to launch her career.

### Direction and Cinematography
John Huston's direction brought a documentary-like realism to the film, with location shooting in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing authentic urban backgrounds. Cinematographer Harold Rosson employed deep focus photography and low-key lighting characteristic of film noir, creating a visual style that enhanced the story's themes of moral darkness and psychological complexity. Huston's decision to shoot many scenes on location rather than on studio sets gave the film a gritty authenticity that distinguished it from more polished Hollywood productions of the era.

### Narrative Structure and Themes
The film's narrative follows a classic heist structure: the planning phase, the assembly of the criminal team, the execution of the crime, and the inevitable unraveling due to human weakness and betrayal. However, Huston elevated this formula by focusing on character psychology and moral ambiguity. The film explores themes of honor among thieves, the corrupting influence of money, and the harsh realities of criminal life. Unlike many crime films of the period, The Asphalt Jungle presents its criminals as complex individuals rather than simple villains, creating a more nuanced examination of morality and human nature.

### Critical Reception and Legacy
Upon its release in 1950, The Asphalt Jungle received critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal of criminal life and Huston's masterful direction. The film was selected as one of the National Board of Review's Top Ten Films of 1950 and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Director. Over time, it has come to be recognized as a classic of the film noir genre and a significant influence on the heist film subgenre. Its selection for the National Film Registry in 1990 affirmed its status as a culturally and historically significant work.

### Influence on Cinema
The Asphalt Jungle's influence extends far beyond its immediate success. The film established many conventions that became standard in subsequent heist films, including the detailed planning sequence, the assembly of specialists with different skills, and the inevitable complications that lead to failure. Directors such as Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, and Jean-Pierre Melville have cited The Asphalt Jungle as an influence on their own crime films. The film's realistic approach to criminal psychology and its focus on character development within a genre framework helped elevate crime films to a more serious artistic level.

### Technical Specifications
The film has a runtime of 112 minutes and was shot in black and white, which was standard for film noir productions of the period. The aspect ratio and specific camera equipment used are not detailed in the available sources, but the cinematography by Harold Rosson is noted for its effective use of shadow and light to create the film's noir atmosphere. The production values reflect MGM's commitment to quality, even for genre films, with careful attention to period detail and authentic location shooting.

### Box Office Performance
The Asphalt Jungle was a commercial success, grossing $2,137,000 in domestic markets and $1,077,000 internationally, for a total of $3,214,000. This represented a significant profit on its $1,232,000 budget and helped establish John Huston as one of Hollywood's most reliable directors for both artistic and commercial success.

### Preservation and Restoration
The film's selection for the National Film Registry in 1990 ensured its preservation for future generations. The Library of Congress recognizes The Asphalt Jungle as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant," reflecting its importance to American cinema. Various restoration efforts have been undertaken to preserve the film's visual quality, though specific details about restoration dates and techniques are not provided in the available sources.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042208/)
2. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/asfaltowa-dzungla)
3. [Source](http://www.cinematografo.it/cinedatabase/film/giungla-d-asfalto/4483/)
4. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042208/fullcredits)
5. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
6. The Movie Database
7. [Source](https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/)
8. The Asphalt Jungle. Rotten Tomatoes
9. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042208/releaseinfo/)
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. Kinopoisk
12. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/asphalt-jungle-the/)
13. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=491.html)
14. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
15. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/10329)
16. Online-Filmdatenbank
17. Bechdel Test Movie List
18. mymovies.it
19. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/D410-BD40-268A-575F-12D0-B)
20. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/85048)
21. Trakt.tv
22. FilmVandaag.nl