Bigger Than Life

James Mason is excellent as a mild-mannered teacher monstrously transformed by his addiction to cortisone.

  • Director

    Nicholas Ray

  • With

    James Mason, Barbara Rush, Walter Matthau, Christopher Olsen

  • USA 1956. 95min

  • Digital

  • Certificate

    12A

A favourite of Truffaut, Godard and Rohmer, Ray repeatedly examined the failings of the American Dream; this searing account of a mild-mannered teacher (Mason) turning egomaniacal after becoming addicted to the cortisone he needs for a heart condition is arguably his masterpiece. Direction, script, camerawork and performance combine to produce a film of enormous anguish; Truffaut applauded its accuracy, honesty and precise intelligence.

The screening Wednesday 19 January will be introduced by Geoff Andrew, Programmer-at-Large.