“Prime Cut” is a 1972 action-crime film directed by Michael Ritchie, starring Lee Marvin and Gene Hackman. The film follows Marvin’s character, Nick Devlin, a Chicago mob enforcer sent to Kansas City to collect a debt from Hackman’s character, Mary Ann, a corrupt meatpacking tycoon who uses his business as a front for his human trafficking operation.
As Devlin arrives in Kansas City, he discovers the brutal reality of Mary Ann’s operation, where young girls are kidnapped, drugged, and sold as slaves to wealthy clients. With the help of a local farmhand named Poppy, played by Sissy Spacek in her film debut, Devlin begins infiltrating Mary Ann’s operation and rescuing the girls.
As Devlin gets closer to Mary Ann, the two engage in a violent confrontation, leading to a thrilling finale that sees Devlin take down Mary Ann and his entire organization. “Prime Cut” is a gritty and intense crime film that tackles heavy themes such as human trafficking and corruption. The film is known for its brutal violence and memorable performances by Lee Marvin and Gene Hackman. Sissy Spacek also delivers a standout performance in her first significant film role.
The film is available on DVD and Blu-Ray via Kino Lorber.
The Other Cinema 