The Defiant Ones poster

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The Defiant Ones

1958 · Movie · 96 min
B

MEANRANK

77/100

Averaged across 3 ratings · 41.5K votes

Every rating

Platform pages last read 6 October 2026. IMDb’s figure comes from IMDb’s own data file, which we re-read about once a month.

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Two convicts—one white, one black—escape while chained to each other.

Details

Released
14 August 1958
Country
United States
Language
English
Runtime
96 min
Rated
NR
Awards
13 wins, 17 nominations

This title elsewhere

Tony Curtis

Tony Curtis

John 'Joker' Jackson

Sidney Poitier

Sidney Poitier

Noah Cullen

Theodore Bikel

Theodore Bikel

Sheriff Max Muller

Charles McGraw

Charles McGraw

Capt. Frank Gibbons

Lon Chaney Jr.

Lon Chaney Jr.

Big Sam

King Donovan

King Donovan

Solly

Awards & nominations

See all 30 →

5 major awards won · 13 wins from 30 nominations across 12 ceremonies

Academy Awards 1958 Best Story and Screenplay – Written Directly for the Screen Nedrick Young and Harold Jacob Smith Winner
Academy Awards 1958 Best Cinematography – Black-and-White Sam Leavitt Winner
Berlin International Film Festival 1958 Silver Bear Sidney Poitier Winner
Golden Globe Awards 1958 Best Motion Picture – Drama Winner
Writers Guild of America Awards 1958 Best Written American Drama Nedrick Young and Harold Jacob Smith Winner
Academy Awards 1958 Best Picture Stanley Kramer Nominee
Academy Awards 1958 Best Director Stanley Kramer Nominee
Academy Awards 1958 Best Actor Tony Curtis Nominee
Show all 30 awards across 12 ceremonies