Initial reactions to this film...

The Killers was well recieved by critics when it first came out, though most of them saw nothing extraordinary about it. James Agee liked it, but with reservations. It seemed to get lost in the shuffle of many other "noirs" with similar themes, which is a pity, since it's better than most; one of the best of all IMO. The movie was a big success, however, and put Burt Lancaster on the map as a rising young star, plus it helped consolidate Ava Gardner's status as one of the screen's "love goddesses" of the time.

I don't know the initial reactions to this film...but when i saw it it went on the top of my noir film list as have other siodmak films this one though is my favorite..youve got to love the uses of flash backs of a dead man

try the periodical index at your public or university library, they usually have very old copies of time, the new yorker, life, the atlantic monthly etc. in the stacks or at least on microfiche (if that still exists.)

Katie I have been told by some older folks that it was well received and did great business and made Burt Lancaster into a big star. It did receive 4 oscar nominations: best director, best film editing, writing and music but lost out to The Best Years of Our Lives in all four. Best Years dominated the oscar that year.