In the deep South during the height of racism, a back and white prisoner are inexplicably chained together while a group of prisoners are being transported. There is an accident, the two men are stuck having to make their escape--which is tough considering that they hate each other--much of it due to racism.

I noticed that some referred to this as the best film about racism. Well, while I would agree that for the time it was pretty good, I certainly would NOT put it among the very best--there are many wonderful films that deserve these sort of accolades. For example, "Intruder in the Dust" is a better film AND came out nearly a decade before "The Defiant Ones". "Nothing But a Man" is another fine film about race that seemed to have a greater impact on me than this 1958 film. In addition, as Bob the Moo said in his review, the message was NOT the least bit subtle and the film would have been better served if the race issue hadn't been beating the audience over the head. Still, if was very good and is worth seeing--especially because you get to see that Tony Curtis could act if given a meatier role. As for Sidney Portier, EVERYONE knows he's a fine actor, so he is less noteworthy in this movie!