On the surface, this film is a classic tale of one good cop and his search for justice and revenge in a corrupt town. Detective Banion (Ford) is as straight as they come. A suicide investigation seems straightforward enough until the victim's mistress is murdered and Banion's boss orders him off the case. When he refuses, and starts shaking down the local gang boss, the response is quick, violent and ultimately tragic.

With his performance as a maverick cop, barely able to suppress his rage, Ford brings intensity to the film and shows what an excellent actor he is. However it is Lee Marvin and the female roles that bring an extra dimension to the film and it is this that makes "The Big Heat" much more than a regular revenge flick. Stone (Marvin) is a cold, menacing brute and the scene where he throws a coffee pot at Debby (Graham) is truly shocking and probably the film's most famous moment.

The director, Lang, also uses the female roles to hint at a darker side to the movie. In his determination to bring the criminals down, Banion seems almost careless of the cost and, even worse, he actively involves and endangers those in his care. Three women murdered and one who is very scared is a high price for Banion's revenge, although he seems oblivious to the fact.

It is, however, the pace and tension that Lang has wrought from the tight script and excellent cast that makes this gritty noir such a standout film. From an era before violence was commonplace in filmmaking, "The Big Heat" is an excellent example of how it can be used to add impact to a clever plot and depth to sharply drawn characters.