Pawnbroker [USA] [Blu-ray]

Rod Steiger (IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT) earned a Best Actor Oscar nomination for his stunning performance in this powerful story of hope and empathy from celebrated director Sidney Lumet (DOG DAYS AFTERNOON). Steiger plays Sol Nazerman, a survivor of a WWII Nazi death camp where his wife, parents and children were murdered. His soul robbed of hope, he takes refuge in misery and a bitter condemnation of humanity while managing a Harlem pawnshop subjected to an endless parade of prostitutes, pimps and thieves. Jamie Sanchez (THE WILD BUNCH) plays Ortiz, Sol's underprivileged and idealistic assistant who dreams of a better life. Two of the film's best features are the gorgeous black-and-white cinematography by the great Boris Kaufman (ON THE WATERFRONT) with a memorable trumpet score by the legendary Quincy Jones (THE GETAWAY). The wonderful cast also includes Geraldine Fitzgerald (WUTHERING HEIGHTS), Brock Peters (TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD) and Raymond St. Jacques (COTTON COMES TO HARLEM).