Ace in the Hole
1951 · Movie · NR · 112 min · ★ 7.8 · 80% critics
A disgraced reporter in small-town Albuquerque spots a chance to revive his career by pushing a story about a man trapped after a cave-in. What begins as coverage quickly turns into an out-of-control media frenzy that escalates beyond anyone’s control.
Also known as The Big Carnival
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Details
- Years
- 1951
- Release date
- 1951-06-29
- Language
- English
- Rated
- NR
- Runtime
- 112 min
- Critic score
- 80/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.8/10 (746 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this razor-edged media satire with mounting chaos and bleak human nature; Not for you if you dislike cynical journalism stories, or if you want a gentler watch like Rio Bravo or Bad Day at Black Rock.
Pros: sharp, biting satire; compelling lead performance; grim, unsettling relevance | Cons: cynicism may overwhelm; heavy subject matter; some find the story uneven
Themes
- rescue
- sheriff
- journalism
- new mexico
- satire
- tragedy
- film noir
- reporter
- black and white
- trapped
- desert
- newspaper man
Awards & recognition
- National Film Registry · 2017
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Original Screenplay · 1952 · nominated
- Golden Lion · 1951 · nominated
Cast & crew
Kirk Douglas
as Charles Tatum
Jan Sterling
as Lorraine
Robert Arthur
as Herbie Cook
Porter Hall
as Jacob Q. Boot
Frank Cady
as Mr. Federber
Richard Benedict
as Leo Minosa
Ray Teal
as Sheriff
Lewis Martin
as McCardle
John Berkes
as Papa Minosa
- FD
Frances Dominguez
as Mama Minosa
Directed by Billy Wilder