The Pawnbroker

"Important, engrossing, Steiger is excellent." - Leonard Maltin

Rod Steiger gives a mesmerizing Oscar nominated performance as the embittered survivor of a Nazi death camp who can't escape the ghosts of his past or the powerful lesson that awaits him in the future. Now a Harlem pawnbroker, Sol Nazerman condemns the dregs of society who pass through his shop and ridicules his idealistic assistant, Ortiz. But when Ortiz, powerfully portrayed by Jaime Sanchez, puts his life on the line for Sol, only then does he learn the ultimate truth about hope and humanity. Under the brilliant direction of Sidney Lumet, Steiger's first starring role in the major leagues is among the finest of his career. Hugely controversial and denounced by everyone including the Catholic Legion of Decency for a taboo-breaking nude scene, this landmark film remains not just powerful entertainment, but a stunning example of how movies can alter our emotions and perceptions forever.