The only thing good about Steiger was his look

I think that Rod Steiger's performance in this film has to rank up there as one of the top ten worst, most overacted performances of all time. Not that The Big Knife was a great movie anyway, but he made what could've been a watchable drama unbearable to watch. He's not even over the top in a good, fun, campy way, like Jaye Davidson from The Robe, Chris Tucker from The Fifth Element, or some other character actor who winds up stealing the show. In the words of Archie Bunker, he is "bad", "worser", "worsest!" 

It's been years since I've seen this movie, but there's this one scene I kinda sorta remember that pretty much encapsulated the awfulness of his performance. If I remember, there's a moment where he violently crosses his arms and claps them to his chest, then hugs himself while bowing his head in this very dramatic fashion. It's just so hammy; I can just hear the peals of laughter that must have rung out in the theater when this happens.

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Emojis=💩 Emoticons=