White Heat (1949)

"White Heat" spins a tense tale of crime and treachery, set against the gritty backdrop of 1940s America. James Cagney plays the role of the volatile and psychopathic criminal, Arthur 'Cody' Jarrett, a man trapped in the throes of an Oedipus complex and haunted by crippling headaches. His fierce devotion to his 'Ma' and his ruthless command over his gang of thieves create an intricate web of tension and violence. The plot thickens when Jarrett, having masterminded a brutal train robbery that leaves a fortune in stolen loot and four bodies in its wake, manipulates the justice system to dodge the gas chamber. By confessing to a lesser crime in a different state, he finds himself sentenced to two years in prison. Yet, every fortress has its weak spot, and the prison is no exception. Enter Hank Fallon, a secret agent played by Edmond O'Brien, who assumes the alias of Vic Pardo to share a cell with Cody, with a mission to unearth the hidden fortune. While Cody battles his internal demons in prison, a sinister plot brews within his own gang. His top henchman, hungry for power, plots to eliminate Cody and seize control. However, Cody's life is spared by the timely intervention of undercover cop Vic Pardo, who skillfully earns Cody's trust and infiltrates the gang. The story reaches its climax when a shocking tragedy—the murder of Cody's beloved 'Ma'—triggers a daring prison break. Cody, alongside Vic and three criminals, escape to exact revenge on the killer. The stage is set for an explosive showdown at a chemical plant, where trust is betrayed, loyalties are tested, and a treacherous heist unfolds. The question remains: will Cody's violent reign of terror continue, or will it crumble under the weight of betrayal and deceit?

White Heat is a crime movie featuring James Cagney.

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