A Face in the Crowd (1957) Reviews

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Wes J.

This film from the great director Elia Kazan is probably the greatest film you've never heard of. I had no idea Andy Griffith was this good of an actor until I saw this. You also get to see a ...
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This film from the great director Elia Kazan is probably the greatest film you've never heard of. I had no idea Andy Griffith was this good of an actor until I saw this. You also get to see a young Mike Wallace of CBS 60 Minutes. This is one of those films that was ahead of it's time, or is one of those films that shows that the more things change, the more things stay the same. I'll be buying this one for the DVD collection.
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Charles E.

Andy Griffith has been one of my favorites for a long time. I was not familiar with this movie, but an glad I watched it. It is fun to see Andy in such a differenct type role, and to see how ...
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Andy Griffith has been one of my favorites for a long time. I was not familiar with this movie, but an glad I watched it. It is fun to see Andy in such a differenct type role, and to see how talented he really is. Definately not Sheriff Taylor!
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Paul D.

This is Andy Griffith's film debut, and he plays against his normal character here in such force that he is almost unrecognizable as the man who brought us such gems as "What is was, was football" ...
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This is Andy Griffith's film debut, and he plays against his normal character here in such force that he is almost unrecognizable as the man who brought us such gems as "What is was, was football" and "The Andy Griffith Show." The cinematography is nice and clean; the copy on DVD is crisp and clear (almost as if this movie had been filmed recently in faux B&W for effect) and the story is reminiscent of "Wag the Dog." Griffith's character is the villain in this film; he earns every sting and shame he eventually receives, but he really is the ignorant man he proclaims himself to be and is indeed swayed by the heady lure of power that is dangled in front of his eyes throughout the film. This movie was indeed far ahead of its time, and I applaud all involved for an entertaining experience I only just discovered. Well worth the rental.
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David M.

This is an entertaining and thought-provoking movie! Although this movie is from 1957, it reflects much of what is going on in television and in our country today - celebrity worship, mindless ...
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This is an entertaining and thought-provoking movie! Although this movie is from 1957, it reflects much of what is going on in television and in our country today - celebrity worship, mindless consumerism, and dumbed-down politics. This overlooked movie is waiting to be discovered and appreciated by today's audience. Luckily, I accidentally saw it on Turner Classic Movies and now I'm renting it to see it again because it was so darned good.
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Mark S.

Great casting, acting, direction and photography. What could of been a cliche plot, enough originality was written into the script to make this not your run of the mill rise-to-fame flick. Andy ...
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Great casting, acting, direction and photography. What could of been a cliche plot, enough originality was written into the script to make this not your run of the mill rise-to-fame flick. Andy Griffith is amazing and so unlike his low key sheriff of tv show fame. He chews up the scenery, screams, rants and becomes a madman right before your eyes. Speaking of, he really uses his eyes with his acting - apparently not ever having an acting class - and could be quite sexy and demonic all in one scene. The casting is very interesting, especially with the extras as they seem to be chosen to come out of a Norman Rockwell painting or Dorthea Lang WPA photograph. Very much ahead of its time, especially with its frank sexual tones. Definitely worth a watch, especially for film buffs.
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John C.

I agree with everyone here, amazing great movie. Andy is simply a house on fire. What a talent.

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Kent P.

This was a great movie. Andy Griffith is talented in drama as well as comedy, and this movie from early in his career really showed how talented he is. Fantastic perfomance by him, and a classic, ...
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This was a great movie. Andy Griffith is talented in drama as well as comedy, and this movie from early in his career really showed how talented he is. Fantastic perfomance by him, and a classic, timeless story. Great directing by Mr. Kazan. I highly recommend this movie.
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Ellen F.

A movie ahead of it's time and still timely. So much can been seen here that plays true int today's celebrity politics and celebrity business in the media.

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Anne C.

Who would have known? Small town sheriff, Andy, knows how to act! He should have been nominated...where they crazy. He was excellent. And, what a beautiful Lee Remick. Worth seeing and ...
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Who would have known? Small town sheriff, Andy, knows how to act! He should have been nominated...where they crazy. He was excellent. And, what a beautiful Lee Remick. Worth seeing and enjoying.
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OldestChild

If I were going to make a list of top 10 American made movie "masterpieces" this would be on that list. Brilliant story by Schulberg, Direction that could have only been done by Elia Kazan. Griffith, ...
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If I were going to make a list of top 10 American made movie "masterpieces" this would be on that list. Brilliant story by Schulberg, Direction that could have only been done by Elia Kazan. Griffith, Neal and Matthau were outstanding. I couldn't take my eyes away from the screen. To have been made in 1957, it was very far ahead of it's time. Watch it you'll see that what this movie warns of THEN, is exactly what has happened to this country NOW. All about how television has changed the world of politics forever. The Networks in hand with the politicians in hand with the advertisers in hand with the Networks. Extreme right and Extreme Left politics (which now-a-days has been reduced to nothing more than republicans and democrats) were rebuilt from the ground up by that "little box" the movie refers to that we all stare into like sheep far too many hours of each day.
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