The Big Heat is a 1953 film noir directed by Fritz Lang and starring Glenn Ford as Dave Bannion, a tough cop who takes on a powerful criminal organization after the murder of his wife. The film was written by former crime reporter Sydney Boehm, based on a serial published in the Saturday Evening Post, and features a memorable performance by Gloria Grahame as Debbie, the gangster's girlfriend who helps Bannion.
The film begins with the suicide of a fellow officer, Tom Duncan, who leaves a note implicating a local crime boss, Mike Lagana, in his death. Bannion starts investigating and finds that Lagana and his henchmen are involved in multiple illegal activities, including drugs, prostitution, and political corruption. However, when Bannion starts asking too many questions, he is warned to back off.
Things become personal when a car bomb meant for Bannion kills his wife, Katie. Bannion becomes obsessed with finding the person responsible, even if it means breaking the law himself. He teams up with Debbie, who is tired of being used and abused by Lagana and his men. Together they track down one of Lagana's hitmen, Vince Stone, and force him to reveal the identity of the person who ordered the hit on Bannion's wife.
Bannion and Debbie's investigation leads them to Lagana's right-hand man, Bertha Duncan, who is revealed to be Tom Duncan's widow and Lagana's mistress. Bannion confronts Lagana, who admits to ordering the hit on Bannion's wife. In the ensuing showdown, Bannion kills Lagana and is cleared of any wrongdoing by his fellow officers, who finally turn against the corrupt organization.
The Big Heat is a gritty and violent film that was controversial at the time of its release for its portrayal of police corruption and brutality. However, it is now considered a classic of the film noir genre and an important example of post-war disillusionment and cynicism in American cinema.
