Five Minutes to Live 1961
"How could she extend the moments he had given her?"
In the taut 1961 crime thriller *Five Minutes to Live*, the tranquil life of a housewife unravels when a guitar-strumming criminal invades her home, weaponizing fear to buy time for his accomplice's bank heist.
Director: Bill Karn
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Five Minutes to Live (1961) about?
A housewife becomes the unwilling pawn in a real-time hostage situation when a guitar-playing criminal targets her home. His motive? To stall for the minutes his partner needs to rob the bank where her husband works.
Who directed Five Minutes to Live?
The film was helmed by Bill Karn, a director whose work in the thriller genre often explored the darker corners of human psychology.
Who stars in Five Minutes to Live?
Johnny Cash headlines the cast alongside Donald Woods, Cay Forester, and Pamela Mason, with Vic Tayback rounding out the ensemble.
Is Five Minutes to Live (1961) worth watching?
For fans of early crime thrillers and Johnny Cash's offbeat foray into acting, *Five Minutes to Live* offers a brisk, suspenseful ride. While not a blockbuster, its tight pacing and unnerving atmosphere make it a cult curiosity worth exploring for noir enthusiasts.
How long is Five Minutes to Live?
The film runs for 73 minutes, delivering a compact yet intense viewing experience.
🎥 Trailer
About Five Minutes to Live (1961) — Johnny Cash in a tense 1961 crime thriller
In the taut 1961 crime thriller *Five Minutes to Live*, the tranquil life of a housewife unravels when a guitar-strumming criminal invades her home, weaponizing fear to buy time for his accomplice's bank heist. Directed by Bill Karn, this gritty noir unfolds like a ticking clock, blending suspense with the raw tension of a family held hostage. As the clock ticks down to the robbery's completion, the line between predator and victim blurs, forcing the characters—and the audience—to confront the fragility of safety and the desperation of those who operate in the shadows.
Johnny Cash commands the screen with a chilling intensity as the menacing intruder, while Donald Woods grounds the chaos as the besieged husband caught between duty and survival. The film's tight 73-minute runtime amplifies the claustrophobic dread, making every second feel like a lifetime. With themes of betrayal, time's relentless march, and the unpredictable violence lurking in ordinary spaces, *Five Minutes to Live* is a forgotten gem of early cinema that lingers long after the credits roll.