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"Doc" Riedenschneider (played by Sam Jaffe) is a criminal who became a underworld legend because of his methodically planned heists. After being released from prison, he wants to put one of his old plans - robbery of jewellery store - into action, but he needs personnel and someone to finance the operation. After being approached by Alonzo P. Emmerich (played by Louis Calhern), a lawyer with criminal connections, "Doc" begins assembling his crew. The safecracker is Louis Ciavelli (played by Anthony Caruso), who accepts the job because he wants to feed his family. The "muscleman" is Dix Handley (played by Sterling Hayden), violent street mugger who wants to pay his gambling debts, and the getaway driver is Gus Minissi (played by James Whitmore), hunchback and Dix's only friend. The heist, although methodically executed, goes bad, and in the end, the criminals themselves are in danger of being robbed.

Director: John Huston
Cast: Sterling Hayden, Louis Calhern, Jean Hagen, James Whitmore, Sam Jaffe, Marilyn Monroe
Country: USA
Genre: Crime, Film-Noir, Drama

The Asphalt Jungle (1950) R1 America - Warner Home Video
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DVD9 | NTSC 4:3 | 01:52:04 | 5.08 Gb + 3% rec
Language: English, Francais
Subtitles: English, Francais, Espanol

Extras:
• Audio Commentary by Author/ Film Noir Specialist Drew Casper and Co-Star James Whitmore
• Introduction by John Huston (Derived from an Archival Interview) (0:50)
• Theatrical Trailer (2:36)

The Asphalt Jungle (1950) Criterion Collection
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BD50 + 2 x DVD9 | 1080p AVC, NTSC | 01:52:25 | 43.6 Gb + 14.1 Gb + 3% rec
Language: English
Subtitles: English

Extras:
• Commentary - this audio commentary with film historian Drew Casper also includes excerpts from an archival interview with actor James Whitmore (Gus Minissi). It initially appeared on the R1 DVD release of Asphalt Jungle from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

• John Huston - presented here is a short archival interview in which director John Huston quickly comments on The Asphalt Jungle. In English, not subtitled. (1 min).

• Pharos of Chaos - this outstanding archival documentary film offers a fascinating glimpse into the personal world of actor Sterling Hayden. It was directed by Wolf-Eckart Buhler and Manfred Blank in 1983. In English, not subtitled (119 min).
1. A Second Birth
2. Wanderer
3. The Barge
4. The Sea
5. Late Afternoon
6. Alcohol
7. Pharos of Chaos
8. River and City
9. The Committee
10. Hollywood

• Eddie Muller - in this brand new interview, film noir historian Eddie Muller (Dark City: The Lost World of Film Noir) deconstructs The Asphalt Jungle and explains what makes it a quintessential American crime film. The interview was conducted exclusively for Criterion in 2016. In English, not subtitled. (25 min).

• John Bailey - in this brand new video interview, cinematographer John Bailey (American Gigolo, Cat People) discusses the visual style of The Asphalt Jungle and various specific technical choices made by cinematographer Harold Rosson (with excellent observations about the use of lamps/dramatic lighting, wide angle lenses, low angles, the psychological rawness that is incorporated into the visuals, etc). The interview was conducted exclusively for Criterion in 2016. In English, not subtitled. (21 min).

• City Lights - presented here is an archival episode of the television program City Lights in which director John Huston discusses his personal life and professional career. The episode was broadcast on October 10, 1979. In English, not subtitled. (49 min).

• The Huston Method - presented here is a new piece edited from several archival audio interviews in which John Huston discusses his approach to writing and directing. The interviews were conducted by critic Gideon Bachmann. In English, not subtitled. (7 min).

• Trailer - original trailer for The Asphalt Jungle. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).