Featured Audience Ratings

• xGary X

  
  When a gas pump attendant is executed by a pair of professional killers an insurance investigator starts digging to find out why. One of the quintessential benchmarks of Film Noir, The Killers is based on a short story by Ernest Hemingway and was the launch platform for the careers of… More
  When a gas pump attendant is executed by a pair of professional killers an insurance investigator starts digging to find out why. One of the quintessential benchmarks of Film Noir, The Killers is based on a short story by Ernest Hemingway and was the launch platform for the careers of both Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner. It's not often you'll see a film that kills off its hero in the first 10 minutes, but the brilliant opening scenes make sure you're hooked through til the bitter end as Noir stalwart Edmond O'Brien unravels the events leading up to the cold blooded assassination that is curiously almost welcomed by Lancaster. As the story is told in flashback, the brisk pace means that perhaps depth of character is sacrificed for economy but the heist, double crosses and allure of the stunning Gardner make sure your interest never wanes. Perhaps lacking the crackling chemistry of Bogart and Bacall or the razor blade dialogue of Chandler, it's still a gripping story involving a Femme that's not as quite as Fatale as you'd expect from Hemingway. Or maybe that's just my inner chump rationalizing for the sake of Ava's considerable charms...A classic detective story and must for Noir aficionados.

• Reid V

  
  From the opening scene, Siodmak introduces the audience to two of the best hitmen that the silver screen has to offer.. This breathtaking opening sure sets the tone for this fantastic 1946 film noir. While not as stylish and captivating as other famous Noirs such as Laura, this film… More
  From the opening scene, Siodmak introduces the audience to two of the best hitmen that the silver screen has to offer.. This breathtaking opening sure sets the tone for this fantastic 1946 film noir. While not as stylish and captivating as other famous Noirs such as Laura, this film still a classic. Told mostly through flashbacks, this Hemingway story translates incredibly well to celluloid. Soidmak creates an intriguing & mysterious tale of crime with a great cast of no good double crossin' back-stabbers. Gardener is great as the deceptive beauty Kitty Collins. (Is there a better name for a femme fatale?) This film is a great entry into the canon of great film Noirs and is worth a watch just to see Lancaster's on screen debut.

• Randy T

  
  <i>The Killers</i> has it all, the beautiful femme fatale (Ava Gardner), the likeable but unlucky hood (Burt Lancaster), the trench coated investigator (Edmond O'Brien) and the "fool-proof" crime that goes horribly wrong. If you liked <i>Double… More
  <i>The Killers</i> has it all, the beautiful femme fatale (Ava Gardner), the likeable but unlucky hood (Burt Lancaster), the trench coated investigator (Edmond O'Brien) and the "fool-proof" crime that goes horribly wrong. If you liked <i>Double Indemnity</i> and <i>The Asphalt Jungle</i> then this one is a must-see.

• AJ V

  
  A good film noir with a good cast.

• Devon B

  
  Based on a story by Ernest Hemingway, "The Killers" is a noir film set up much like "Citizen Kane": an insurance investigator, through a series of interviews (which lead to flashbacks for the viewer), deciphers the riddle of a gas station attendant's murder in… More
  Based on a story by Ernest Hemingway, "The Killers" is a noir film set up much like "Citizen Kane": an insurance investigator, through a series of interviews (which lead to flashbacks for the viewer), deciphers the riddle of a gas station attendant's murder in a small town. Burt Lancaster is "the Swede", an ex-boxer who meets his doom in the back room of a boarding house by the hands of a pair of hitmen. However, it's not as exciting as it sounds, even if the pistol-packing claims adjuster is one you wouldn't ever want to mess with. The first 15 minutes are a little incongruous to the rest of the story (Hemingway's story comprises only the first reel of the film), and the motivations behind the Swede's death are a little flimsy (it's always a dame that gets 'em). The film's mighty aspirations can slow down to a crawl at times, but it's still a film worthy of your time, and if you're a fan of the genre, this might be a new favorite.

• danny d

  
  siodmaks version of the killers is mesmerizing. one of the best film noirs ever made, lancaster was great in his debut, ava gardner was stunning as always, and obrien turns in a typically solid performance in a noir investigative role. the first few minutes of the film basically… More
  siodmaks version of the killers is mesmerizing. one of the best film noirs ever made, lancaster was great in his debut, ava gardner was stunning as always, and obrien turns in a typically solid performance in a noir investigative role. the first few minutes of the film basically lays out hemingways 8 page short story with perfection, and the rest of the story created for the film was true to the spirit of hemingways work. as the plot thickens so does the intrigue, finalizing in a twisted and dark tale that satisfies completely.

• Pierluigi P

  
  Alluring fox Ava Gardner tempts a weary Burt Lancaster in this rambling faena of betrayal, theft, jealousy and murder.

• Aaron N

  
  Jim Reardon: How well did you know the Swede? Charleston: Me? Mister, I guess me and the Swede were about as close as two guys can get. For nearly two years we weren't more than eight and a half feet apart. That's how big the cell was. This is a very good film noir, made… More
  Jim Reardon: How well did you know the Swede? Charleston: Me? Mister, I guess me and the Swede were about as close as two guys can get. For nearly two years we weren't more than eight and a half feet apart. That's how big the cell was. This is a very good film noir, made very well due to its style and the actors involved. Two hitmen come to town after a man known as "the Swede." After a very good setup in a diner, the hitmen find who they are looking for and kill him. Strange thing is that the Swede did not put up a fight, he saw it coming and took it. An insurance investigator, Edmond O'Brien, enters the scene, and after being given few details, goes to various people who knew the Swede in order to find out what really happened. Big Jim Colfax: If there's one thing in this world I hate, it's a double-crossing dame. It turns out that the Swede, played very well by Burt Lancaster, was formerly a boxer who fell on some bad luck after meeting the very lovely Ava Gardner. He ended up involving himself in a botched robbery involving some double crosses and the loss of the money. We learn this information through a series of flashbacks told by different characters. This works well to develop Lancaster's character and how sympathetic he becomes after knowing what led him to the point seen in the opening. Along with a very good story running throughout, the beginning and ending scenes of this movie are fantastic. It is also very steeped in it's noir atmosphere, providing for a very well made movie. Reardon: When was the last time you saw him? Charleston: Mister, did you say 'when?' Reardon: Yes. Charleston: Mister, when it comes to dates, 1492 is the only one I can remember.

• Veronique K

  
  the best applauded movie adapted from hemingway's short story. (hemingway claims so.) also the crucial overnight success for burt lancaster and ava gardner. it was said that "the killers" is the film noir version of citizen kane, especially its posthumously introvert… More
  the best applauded movie adapted from hemingway's short story. (hemingway claims so.) also the crucial overnight success for burt lancaster and ava gardner. it was said that "the killers" is the film noir version of citizen kane, especially its posthumously introvert angle to tackle the lethalness of a woman who tunes the golden harps. (her weapon shall be love.) there're plot twists interwined together with the refreshing swift-paced move. lancaster gives a sympathetic portrait of a gangster romanticist who would sacrifice everything for the flaming passion. gardner's screen time is limited but impressive, a woman with the deadly charm which could take a man with one icy-cold glimpse. you can't help but captivated by her southern belle feline voice. there's also some otherworldly ethrealnss beneath her hell-cat sexy looks. perhaps most film noir pieces are demonstrating how un-worthy it is to devote your love to that she-devil. but it takes a real man or an original tough tough guy to embrace her in his bossom on the perils of becoming her tragic prey.

• Michael G

  
  Just an all around great movie. Gardner is H O T and its easy to see why Lancaster was such a chump for her. The opening is amazing and keeps it going through the end.

• Matthew Y

  
  An underwhelming Hemingway short is used as the springboard for a supposed "classic" film-noir tale. I read and watched both these works in college and was remarkably unimpressed by both (with perhaps an exception for the use of music in the film). While it follows the… More
  An underwhelming Hemingway short is used as the springboard for a supposed "classic" film-noir tale. I read and watched both these works in college and was remarkably unimpressed by both (with perhaps an exception for the use of music in the film). While it follows the "rules" of a good film-noir detective tale it has a highly unremarkable story and even less interesting characters to keep audiences interested. For whatever reason the film has lived on through the ages and has even been remade in the 60's with a modestly impressive cast that I'm sure will take me ages before I see. Certainly not the best introduction, especially for younger audiences, to the genre and a head-scratching unimpressive production in my modest opinion.

• Eduardo T

  
  What just happened? This was literally the most complicated film I have ever watched. The dialogue made it very complicated because I had trouble keeping up. I don't even know what to write about. Well how about I write about this, this film had everything. The acting, writing,… More
  What just happened? This was literally the most complicated film I have ever watched. The dialogue made it very complicated because I had trouble keeping up. I don't even know what to write about. Well how about I write about this, this film had everything. The acting, writing, directing, and producing. The writing was good considering how complicated it was. I wish I could write complicated scripts but I just can't. The writing also contributed to the plot. How do I know that considering that it's complicated? It stayed true to the story that's why. The acting was also good considering this is a classic film. You rarely see classic films that have bad acting. That's part of the reason why there so good. As for the directing it was good as well. I can't find a way that I could have done it better so that means it's a good thing. If you like classic films then this is for you.

• Buddy A

  
  This is the "Citizen Kane" of classic film noir; its structure, cinematography, and narrative are truly quite similar to Welles' masterpiece. It's hard to believe this was Lancaster's first film role; his subtle interpretation of the truly doomed Swede is… More
  This is the "Citizen Kane" of classic film noir; its structure, cinematography, and narrative are truly quite similar to Welles' masterpiece. It's hard to believe this was Lancaster's first film role; his subtle interpretation of the truly doomed Swede is emotional without being overstated. Of course, Gardner is absolutely beguiling in her take on the "femme fatale" (though, admittedly, I've always had a powerful and serious attraction to her, so I may not exactly be objective). To say this film is suspenseful is a true understatement; excellent pacing, mesmerizing chiaroscuro lighting, and a strong sense of fatalism combine with one of Miklos Rozsa's best scores to create one of the best movies ever to bear the title of film noir. Highly recommended.

• Tom S

  
  An often bland, but occaisonally brilliant noir

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