Claysaba Excellent, Without a doubt!!

Gutsycurene Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

Dirtylogy It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

Aiden Melton The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

Ed-Shullivan I especially love the 1970's film making era, and with a seasoned director such as Robert Aldrich managing the cameras, I was sure I would not be disappointed with the Grissom Gang. The opening panoramic scene which takes place at a gas station/general store was vintage 1970's film making style, and I thought the film was off to a great start. The movie takes place in the 1930's era and stars Kim Darby as Barbara Blandish who plays a rich and spoiled heiress who is kidnapped by a crew of semi smart gangsters who are led by a tough talking Ma Grissom played by Irene Dailey. Ma Grissom's slow witted son Slim Grissom who has never had physical contact of any kind with the opposite sex becomes infatuated with their kidnap victim Barbara. While in captivity Barbara is shown several times screaming her rich pretty little head off, thus the scream queen summary. The dim witted Slim takes a lot of verbal abuse from the other gang members as they like to make fun of his so called friendship with Barbara when in fact they know that after the ransom is paid, they will have to dispose of Barbara as she is the only living witness to their crime.No plot is complete without including a weasel eyed gang member in the story line and who better to play this part than the venerable character actor Tony Musante who plays Eddie Hagan. Eddie expresses that he is more than up to the task of killing Barbara when the time is right because he knows how much that will just torment Slim who has fallen in love with Barbara.As the law closes in on the gang, Barbara continues to try and escape and Slim promises to protect his new found love from the other gang members. Tempers flare amongst the gang members, and the audience is anticipating one of those great Bonnie and Clyde shootouts with the law. Director Robert Aldrich includes a number of car chases and shoot outs in the Grissom Gang, the three main characters are exposed to the audience for who they are and who they believe in. I wouldn't want to spoil a good ending so you will just have to watch it. I would not call this a great movie, but it is certainly worth a Sunday matinée watch. I give it a 6 out of 10, and I thank Robert Aldrich for another good film on his extensive resume which includes the classic and hard to find on DVD Choirboys, as well as box office bonanzas The Longest Yard, and the Dirty Dozen.

punishmentpark Sweaty performances, indeed! Did director Robert Aldrich turn extra spotlights onto his cast to recreate that simmering Kansas heat? In any case, Scott Wilson's rendition of Slim Grissom is uncanny, but the rest of the cast keep up more than plenty, of whom I would specifically like to mention Kim Darby, Irene Dailey and Tony Musante. You don't like the characters? Really? Do you never watch crime films, or do you like them as uninspired or flat as they can be? If you want to see a film about unflinching criminals, intense, gut wrenching drama, and a good dose of action, 'The Grissom Gang' is a one you may not miss. Touching on several intriguing issues (such as Stockholm syndrome), Aldrich pulls a tour de force on the viewer that has virtually everything, without it being too much. And then there's that bleak, bleak, bleak sense of humor that one might at times almost mistake for tastelessness... Plotwise, there were some silly decisions made by the otherwise brilliant gang (two murders that could be all too easily linked to them) - my only point of critique, actually.And I hád to rewind that casual briefcase knockdown by Robert Lansing a couple of times; be sure you don't miss it, even if it is just a bit of comic relief.A big 9 out of 10.

merklekranz The word subtle would not come to mind while describing "The Grissom Gang". What would come to mind is the phrase "over the top". The movie seems excessive in both it's violence and length. Shoot first, and never consider any consequences, is the gang's mode of operation. Almost everything seems to revolve around "Ma Grissom", a frightful Mother, played to bone chilling perfection by Irene Dailey. Occasional dark humor breaks the violence, but ultimately this is more a character study of a dysfunctional family, and none of the characters including the kidnapped heiress and her monstrous Father, are remotely likable. - MERK

shepardjessica This little gem of a film was treated as exploitation trash, but a fascinating kidnapping tale with unrequited love and dysfunctional family relations. Scott Wilson (so brilliant in In Cold Blood) is incredible as Slim, the lonely offbeat member of the gang who is somewhat understood (but very edgy). Throw in Kim Darby, Tony Musante, Irene Dailey (more demented than she was in Five Easy Pieces), and Joey Faye as Woppy, how wrong can you go?There's a good sense of time period. This film is nothing compared to Bonnie and Clyde, but closer to Thieves Like Us. Connie Stevens is an added attraction. Give these folks a chance. Rated 7 out of 10.