the quality youre likely to remember after view the big knife be how claustrophobic it be . it pace be sacrifice to a uniform texture of dialog . it talky in the extreme . modern viewer will feel every point have be make ( and then some ) but the movie will still not move on and or do the viewer a favor and change the scenery . it very inert . at the 45 min mark i be sure i have watch two very slow hour . my beleaguered response be and good god and where be this go . it feel like odets be pay by the word . this be a good place to note the decline of drama from it high point in the 40 through the conceit laden project of the 50 and 60 until actual filmic merit be rediscover in the 70 and only to vanish again . here we get show offy and conventional and emotional outburst from steiger and lupino et al . and camera move pre arrange to meet over practiced blocking . this be due to the rise of the method while the regrettable trend of sacrifice every other merit of film and to grant actor their most selfish wish . great acting and ho hum and have kill think in movie . jack palance forehead and pompadour retract and thrust forward every time he react to something . it disturb . this be awfully boring stuff .