The Canon / Parallax Editorial Archive
Curated by Pedro Neves, Founder of Parallax
Bigger Than Life
Directed by Nicholas Ray
1956•1h 35m•NR•★ 7.6
Drama
Synopsis
An overworked suburban schoolteacher suffering from a rare arterial disease is prescribed the experimental miracle drug cortisone, descending into megalomaniacal psychosis, delusions of godhood, and terrifying authoritarian tyranny over his family. Nicholas Ray's ferocious CinemaScope deconstruction of the 1950s American dream starring James Mason.
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Bigger Than Life
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Cinematic Profile
Nicholas Ray
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Cast & Crew
DirectorNicholas Ray
WriterRichard MaibaumCyril Hume
CinematographyJoseph MacDonald
MusicDavid Raksin
Principal Cast
James MasonEd Avery
Barbara RushLou Avery
Walter MatthauWally Gibbs
Robert F. SimonDr. Norton
Christopher OlsenRichie Avery
Roland WintersDr. Ruric
Rusty LaneBob LaPorte
Rachel StephensNurse
Technical Specifications
Runtime1h 35m (95 mins)
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Collector Status
Not Yet Collected
Production Details
DirectorNicholas Ray
LanguagesEnglish
CountryUS
Studio20th Century Fox
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