Review of House of Bamboo (1955) by Eric R — 28 Dec 2008

Samuel Fuller in peak form. The photography is what really makes this movie shine though, especially the Cinemascope format which really amplifies the ending in an amusement park. Fuller also doesn't bother going in for cheap closeups during important scenes (which could also have to do with Cinemascope) and lets the scene play out without gimmicks.

Robert Ryan as always is stellar, especially in a scene where after he fills one of his henchmen that he suspects has betrayed him with bullet holes (while in a bathtub no less, that is now full of holes and pouring out water thanks to the bullets) then proceeds to have a very animated conversation with the corpse.

Part of the fantastic Fox Film Noir collection on DVD.