
Cody Jarrett is the sadistic leader of a ruthless gang of thieves. Afflicted by terrible headaches and fiercely devoted to his 'Ma,' Cody is a volatile, violent, and eccentric leader. Cody's top henchman wants to lead the gang and attempts to have an 'accident' happen to Cody, while he is running the gang from in jail. But Cody is saved by an undercover cop, who thereby befriends him and infiltrates the gang. Finally, the stage is set for Cody's ultimate betrayal and downfall... (Full plot summary below)
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Cody Jarrett is the sadistic leader of a ruthless gang of thieves. Afflicted by terrible headaches and fiercely devoted to his 'Ma,' Cody is a volatile, violent, and eccentric leader. Cody's top henchman wants to lead the gang and attempts to have an 'accident' happen to Cody, while he is running the gang from in jail. But Cody is saved by an undercover cop, who thereby befriends him and infiltrates the gang. Finally, the stage is set for Cody's ultimate betrayal and downfall, during a big heist at a chemical plant.
Leave your thoughts about White Heat.
| New York TimesBosley CrowtherThe simple fact is that Mr. Cagney has made his return to a gangster role in one of the most explosive pictures that he or anyone has ever played. |
| DVDJournal.comMark BourneIts archetypal influence on later films like Goodfellas and the Al Pacino Scarface is striking, even if we can never again experience how new and bold it was back in its day.... |
| Classic Film and TelevisionMichael E. GrostFilm noir masterpiece, with brilliant direction and visual style |
| StarburstKieron MooreThe star of the show is undoubtedly Cagney, whose performance raises White Heat above typical cops 'n' robbers fare into an intense study of a psychologically troubled character. |
| Flipside Movie EmporiumRob VauxCagney's finest hour and one of the best gangster pictures ever made. |
| EmanuelLevy.ComEmanuel LevyRaoul Walsh's Freudian film is one of the fastest and toughest crime-gangster films ever made, boasting a bravura performance from James Cagney as a misogynist mama boy ("top of the world, Ma"). |
| n+1A.S. HamrahBefore White Heat, no gangster film had featured anybody like Cody Jarrett. |
| Chicago ReaderDave KehrRaoul Walsh's heroes had a knack for going too far, but none went further than James Cagney in this roaring 1949 gangster piece. |
| Movie MetropolisJohn J. PuccioWhite Heat is vigorous and uncompromising. Cagney is all kinetic energy and raw nerve. |
| Kalamazoo GazetteJames SanfordCagney is unforgettable in this fascinating, brutal drama |