In “The Split 1968,” a master thief named McClain plans a heist during a football game that goes wrong. He ends up in the middle of a gang war, and must navigate through dangerous waters to come out on top. The film is a stylish crime thriller with sharp dialogue, bold camera angles, and cool jazz music.
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Review
The Split: A Masterclass in Film Noir
A man walks into a bar. He’s wearing a fedora, there’s a cigarette between his lips, and shadows play across his face. This is the opening scene of “The Split”, a 1968 film noir that combines crime, drama, and suspense to create a masterpiece of cinematic storytelling.
Directed by Gordon Flemyng, “The Split” is based on the novel “The Seventh” by Donald E. Westlake. It stars Jim Brown as McClain, an ex-con who is recruited to help break into a Los Angeles bank vault. The plan goes awry when members of the crew start turning on each other and McClain is forced to fight for his life.
The film begins with a montage of downtown Los Angeles at night: streetlights flickering, neon signs flashing, and cars honking. It’s a world of shadows and secrets where crime lurks around every corner. We soon meet the gang’s leader, Gladys (Julie Harris), who recruits McClain for the job.
In classic Hemingway style, dialogue throughout the movie is sparse but impactful. The conversations between characters are often significant moments that build tension or reveal something about their motivations or intentions. One iconic example is when McClain confronts Gladys at her home over money he feels she owes him.
“You had it coming,” she tells him.
“Maybe I did,” he replies calmly before planting a fist in her face.
The plot thickens when McClain discovers his estranged wife Ellie (Diahann Carroll) is involved in the plan as one of Gladys’ assistants along with Dave Negli (Ernest Borgnine) and Kifka (Jack Klugman). Tensions rise as trust between members begins to unravel during their efforts to pull off an elaborate heist on the bank vault located deep beneath downtown LA.
Beyond its compelling storyline and witty dialogue, “The Split” boasts an impressive cast. Jim Brown, a former NFL star, shines in his role as McClain. Carroll’s performance as Ellie is both sassy and vulnerable. Ernest Borgnine is equally impressive as the hapless Dave Negli, while Jack Klugman brings his usual charm to the character of Kifka.
The film’s score, composed by Quincy Jones, is also worth noting. It’s a mix of jazz and funk that adds to the film’s atmosphere of cool sophistication and danger.
“The Split” was well-received upon its release and remains a beloved classic of the genre. It’s no surprise that its popularity continues to endure even over five decades later.
But beyond its enduring popularity lies its legacy within black cinema history. “The Split” was at the forefront of casting more black actors in lead roles and telling stories driven by black characters. The movie was ahead of its time for showcasing a social dynamic unseen in most Hollywood productions at the time.
In conclusion, “The Split” is proof that even half a century later, it remains relevant within cinema and society itself for being groundbreaking in not only what it showcased but also how it did so while offering up endless entertainment value along the way.
Technical Data
- Release : 1968-11-04
- Runtime : 91
- Genre : Action, Crime
- Cast : Jim Brown as McClain, Diahann Carroll as Ellen “Ellie” Kennedy, Ernest Borgnine as Bert Clinger, Julie Harris as Gladys, Gene Hackman as Lt. Walter Brill
- Crew : Henry Grace as Set Decoration, Sydney Guilaroff as Hairstylist, Burnett Guffey as Director of Photography, George W. Davis as Art Direction, Irwin Winkler as Producer
- Revenue : 0
- Budget : 0
- Company : Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Popularity : 4.292
- Summary : A group of thieves attempt a daring robbery of a football stadium.
- Tagline : No wonder they’re happy. They just stole a half-million dollars in front of a hundred-thousand witnesses… But watch what happens when it’s time for The Split!
