I Want to Live

The 1958 Robert Wise film "I Want to Live" is a social drama of the highest order, and an early example of a film that calls into question the justice -- and the utility -- of the death sentence.

The case the film derives from -- the 1953 robbery and murder of an elderly widow named Mabel Monohan -- remains controversial in terms of differing accounts of what role petty criminal Barbara Graham played. Various accounts place Graham at the scene, and even accuse Graham of fracturing Monohan's skull. The film departs from this narrative, depicting Graham as "amoral" and essentially lawless, but not without a sense of ethics -- and, in particular, incapable of violent crime. In the film version, Graham is the victim of the true perpetrator's bargain to turn state's evidence; later on, she's the target of a police sting that boxes her into making a false confession.

Setting aside the question of how accurate the film might be, and taking the production on its cinematic merits, "I Want to Live" is a lushly visual, strikingly performed and directed film. What else would we expect from Robert Wise? Of particular note is the Oscar-winning performance star Susan Hayward, a combination of tough cookie, wise-cracking woman in a man's criminal underworld, and reliable conjurer of the dry one-liner. Another astonishing aspect of the film is its no-nonsense, documentary approach to showing us just what it meant to send a person to the gas chamber -- the method of execution to which Graham was sentenced, along with two confederates. The character, and Hayward's portrayal, are indelible.

This Twilight Time offering includes the original theatrical trailer, the usual articulate and insightful Julie Kirgo essay, and an isolated track for Johnny Mandel's groundbreaking jazz soundtrack. Unusually, that score track also includes about twenty minutes worth of audio commentary, courtesy of Mike Matessino, who worked with Robert Wise on several occasions. (Matessino's comments start just shy of the film's 33 minute mark.)

Catalogue this selection among the true gems that Twilight Time has made available in sparkling Blu-ray editions. Include it also on your essential viewing list.

"I Want to Live"
Blu-ray
$29.95
http://www.twilighttimemovies.com/i-want-to-live-blu-ray