Rod Steiger: “The Pawnbroker”

[Lance]

I have the VHS of Steiger in The Pawnbroker. Rod Steiger won the 1965 Academy Award nomination for best actor in this film. Nine years later, I have replaced the VHS with the DVD issue. The film was made by Republic Pictures and is distributed by Artisan. This was my first exposure to Rod Steiger's work as an actor and the impression of his work in this film from 1965 has been with me for 45 years! The other recent example of his amazing acting art occurred in The Sergeant, which I recently have seen and now have on DVD.

Those who don't know this film might really enjoy it. Rod Steiger gives an incredible performance as the embittered survivor of a Nazi death camp who can't escape the ghosts of his past or the powerful lesson that awaits him in the future. Now a Harlem pawnbroker, Sol Nazerman (Rod Steiger) condems the dregs of society who pass through his shop and ridicules his idealistic assistant, Ortiz. But when Ortiz, powerfully portrayed by Jaime Sanchez, puts his life on the line for Sol, only then does he learn the ultimate trugh about hope and humanity. Under the brilliant direction of Sidney Lumet, Steiger's first starring role in the major leagues is among the finest of his career. Hugely controversial and denounced by everyone including the Catholic Legion of Decency for a taboo-breaking nude scene, this landmark film remains not just powerful "entertainment," but a stunning example of how movies cn alter our emotions and our perceptions forever.

Music by Quincy Jones. Produced by Roger Lewis Philip Langner. The screenplay is by Morton Fine and David Friedkin, based on the novel by Edward Lewis Wallant.

1965, B&W, 111 minutes time-wise. ☼

[moldyoldie]

Powerful stuff! As dark as it gets.

[jbuck919]

I saw this about a year ago on DVD, and I probably need to see it again, because I was confused about the exact nature of the shady dealings the Steiger character is abetting with the local hoodlums. Also, I thought the movie deteriorated toward the end (and no Lance, I don't find this a universal feature of Steiger films) because we had been built up for the character having a certain nobility that breaks down too easily, or maybe the wrong way.

[Lance]

Interesting and provocative comments, John. I'll be watching the film again soon and will take a "longer" view of the plot line and what is happening. I just remember being overwhelmed with Steiger's acting.

I saw this about a year ago on DVD, and I probably need to see it again, because I was confused about the exact nature of the shady dealings the Steiger character is abetting with the local hoodlums. Also, I thought the movie deteriorated toward the end (and no Lance, I don't find this a universal feature of Steiger films) because we had been built up for the character having a certain nobility that breaks down too easily, or maybe the wrong way.