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Ace in the Hole

Ace in the Hole

Drama · 1951

An arrogant reporter exploits a story about a man trapped in a cave to revitalize his career.

Movie details

Ace in the Hole

“Rough, tough Chuck Tatum, who battered his way to the top... trampling everything in his path - men, women and morals !”

1951 Drama 1h 52m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.8 / 10

Community rating

An arrogant reporter exploits a story about a man trapped in a cave to revitalize his career.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Ace in the Hole?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Rancho Notorious

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Where it lives

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Billy Wilder

Written by

Lesser Samuels · Walter Newman · Billy Wilder

Kirk Douglas

Kirk Douglas

Charles Tatum

Jan Sterling

Jan Sterling

Lorraine

Robert Arthur

Robert Arthur

Herbie Cook

Porter Hall

Porter Hall

Jacob Q. Boot

Frank Cady

Frank Cady

Mr. Federber

Richard Benedict

Richard Benedict

Leo Minosa

Ray Teal

Ray Teal

Sheriff

Court is in session

Put Ace in the Hole on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.