“You're walking out on 85 grand?”
MGM's Bold Step into R-Rated TerritoryIn 1968, MGM was looking to break away from their family-friendly reputation and venture into more adult-oriented content. Based on Donald E. Westlake's Parker novel "The Seventh," they brought in Scottish director Gordon Flemyng fresh off his success with Great Catherine. With a stellar ensemble cast led by Jim Brown and a groundbreaking approach to racial representation in crime films, MGM was ready to push boundaries. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue the 1968 Crime Films series with a conversation about The Split.Breaking Down This Historic HeistThe Split represents several significant firsts - it was MGM's first R-rated film and featured Jim Brown as one of the first Black leading men in a major studio crime thriller. The film follows McClain (Brown) as he assembles an unlikely crew to rob the LA Coliseum during a playoff game. While the heist itself succeeds, the aftermath leads to betrayal, murder, and an unconventional alliance with a detective (Gene Hackman).The Film's Place in Crime Movie History
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MGM's Bold Step into R-Rated TerritoryIn 1968, MGM was looking to break away from their family-friendly reputation and venture into more adult-oriented content. Based on Donald E. Westlake's Parker novel "The Seventh," they brought in Scottish director Gordon Flemyng fresh off his success with Great Catherine. With a stellar ensemble cast led by Jim Brown and a groundbreaking approach to racial representation in crime films, MGM was ready to push boundaries. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue the 1968 Crime Films series with a conversation about The Split.Breaking Down This Historic HeistThe Split represents several significant firsts - it was MGM's first R-rated film and featured Jim Brown as one of the first Black leading men in a major studio crime thriller. The film follows McClain (Brown) as he assembles an unlikely crew to rob the LA Coliseum during a playoff game. While the heist itself succeeds, the aftermath leads to betrayal, murder, and an unconventional alliance with a detective (Gene Hackman).The Film's Place in Crime Movie History
- Innovative team-building sequences showing McLean testing each potential crew member
- Strong performances from an all-star cast including Ernest Borgnine, Donald Sutherland, Jack Klugman, Warren Oates, Diahann Carroll, James Whitmore, and Julie Harris
- Progressive handling of racial themes without making them the central focus
- A period-specific heist that could only work in the pre-digital age
- Quincy Jones's distinctive musical score setting the 60s mood
- The film's unique position as part of the Parker novel adaptation series
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- The Cinematic Legacy of Donald E. Westlake
- Theatrical trailer
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