MovieChat Forums > The Killers (1946) Discussion > This is one of the best of film noir

This is one of the best of film noir

posted 17 years ago by jcredeems
14 replies | jump to latest

Wow, this is such a great film I am astonished it is not in the Top 250 IMDB films. Well written and smart script, great acting, and directing. I am really surprised this film isn't more popular.

[–] freakyfelix 16 years ago

I rewatched it again recently, and although the movie has some incredible moments, and is very well made, overall it's not one of the best film noirs out there.

The first half is excellent, but then it really starts to drag to the end. Also Burt Lancaster's performance is pretty uneven when you see it again (maybe because it was his first role?) Don't get me wrong, it's still a great film... the acting is great all around, especially Ava Gardner, but it's just not one of the best film noirs, in my opinion.

[–] dac287 15 years ago

I would say it has a great beginning and a great ending. And to be fair it tricked me. I figured Kitty was behind hiring the killers and set the whole fire and tricking Swede up, but I didn't see her "husband" and accomplice being the Coalfax. Gardner looked stunning and the opening 10 minutes are very suspenseful and it has a few moments of pure brilliance like the one crane shot robbery.

But yeah a lot of it is very standard for the genre and the lead is a bit dull. I wouldn't say it is up there with Double Indemnity, Laura, Out of the Past, The Big Sleep, etc. but it is certainly better than other popular but quite dull historic noirs like Detour, Sorry, Wrong Number, Kiss Me Deadly and DOA IMO.

It was a very good movie. Maybe not the best of its genre (or cycle if you want to be anal) but a sterling entry, nonetheless.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] richsass 15 years ago

Of the film noirs I have watched and I have collected more than 50, I would rate this in my top 10. Definitely this movie should be in the top 250.

What are you gonna do? Kill me? Every body Dies. John Garfield (Body and Soul)

[–] marvel88 15 years ago

I really enjoyed the film. Really great beginning with the awesome adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's short story and a good background story as well.

Very stylish and a good start for Lancaster.

"I know you're in there, Fagerstrom!"-Conan O'Brien

[–] CaptainDeadbeat 15 years ago

I just finished watching this for the first time. I wish they still made 'em like this. I also wish we still had 'dames' like Ava Gardner on the silver screen instead of cheap little wannabes like Megan Fox, but that's a whole different debate, I guess. lol

[–] AsHimself 15 years ago

I'd put in my top 30 noirs, only because of the first 10 minutes and the last 10. Rest is nothing out of the ordinary. Even Donald MacBride is boring. Beginning is great, one of my favorites of any genre. It's not a coincidence - that opener is all Hemingway's short story was about.

[–] jayc-8 15 years ago

Not to mention the gorgeous lighting and photography

[–] DrGlitterhouse 14 years ago

I definitely liked this movie. I might even rank the first meeting with the robbers as my favorite scene ahead of the first few minutes. I'm confused by why Edmund O'Brien isn't listed as a third lead, considering Riordan's part is probably bigger than Andresson's, and I wasn't as blown away by the movie as I was the first time I saw it (mostly because of the scenes in the insurance office), but I liked the flashback structure.

"How's that for Japanese efficiency?"

[–] franzkabuki 14 years ago

I think The Killers´ cinematography and score stand out even among the best of noirs and although the beginning and the end are particularly great (the first few minutes are some of the most striking in any film I´ve seen), I don´t really think it got dull at any point. Also, the acting is comparatively understated considering the era with Lancaster being arguably the most rusty of the bunch... but then again maybe that´s the kinda guy he was supposed to play, rough around the edges. A quintessential noir and an allaround great picture; up there with the likes of Out Of The Past and Kiss Me Deadly as the best the genre had to offer as far as I´m concerned.

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] chrisasiama 14 years ago

The Killers is a top notch noir, not my favorite but still very good. The cinematography is excellent and the film has a great opening scene. I also thought the cast were excellent. Ava Gardner was so hot and Edmond O'Brien is always watchable. I always liked Burt Lancaster but he was a little bland in this. It's no big deal though. I liked how the insurance investigator was more of a protagonist than the 'swede' lol.

[–] Woodyanders 10 years ago

Agreed. It's an excellent noir thriller.

I am the Duke of IMDb bio writers! I am A#1!