The Killers (1964)

78% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
71% of users liked it
(3,888 ratings)

Don Siegel directed this intensely pessimistic re-make of Robert Siodmak's 1946 film noir masterpiece The Killers, based upon a story by Ernest Hemingway. As the story opens two professional looking men in business suits -- Charlie (Lee Marvin) and Lee (Clu Gulager) -- push their way into a school… More Don Siegel directed this intensely pessimistic re-make of Robert Siodmak's 1946 film noir masterpiece The Killers, based upon a story by Ernest Hemingway. As the story opens two professional looking men in business suits -- Charlie (Lee Marvin) and Lee (Clu Gulager) -- push their way into a school for the blind and terrorize a secretary until she reveals the whereabouts of Johnny North (John Cassavetes). When Charlie and Lee trace Johnny to an automobile repair class, Johnny just stands there as the two men gun him down. Afterwards, Charlie wonders why Johnny just stood there, accepting his death. He also starts to wonder about his hefty paycheck for the murder and rumors that Johnny was involved in a million-dollar heist. He decides to pay Johnny's old friend Earl Sylvester (Claude Akins) a visit at his auto shop in Florida. Earl recalls the summer day long ago when former race car driver Johnny caught the eye of the rich and beautiful Sheila Farr (Angie Dickinson). Johnny has been preparing for a race, but Sheila's attentions sidetrack him. The day of the big race, Earl notices that Sheila is visited by a group of rich gangsters, headed by Browning (Ronald Reagan, in a very surprising performance). During the race, Johnny is involved in a terrible crash, effectively ending his racing career. However, it seems Browning is arranging a mail heist and hires Johnny to drive the getaway car. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: Don Siegel
Written By: Gene L. Coon
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: May 30, 1964 Wide
On DVD: Feb 18, 2003
Studio: Universal Pictures

Critic Reviews

, TIME Magazine
Perhaps the sole justification for turning a fine old movie into a just passable new one can be summed up as Angie Dickinson.
Variety Staff, Variety
Ronald Reagan fails to crash convincingly through his goodguy image in his portrayal of a ruthless crook.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
The second film version (1964) of Ernest Hemingway's short story, directed by Don Siegel with far more energy than Robert Siodmak could muster for his overrated 1946 effort.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
This take on the story by the invariably overrated Don Siegel is probably the most brightly lit, atmosphere-challenged movie ever to be tagged as noir.
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
The 1946 and 1964 versions of The Killers are vastly different, except for a couple of plot points, like the lack of surprise and failure to run the hitmen note with their target, and the double cross that is revealed at the end
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Though the film does not stand up to the 1946 version with Burt Lancaster, it has its own pleasures, including Marvin's rather likable role of an assassin, the exciting robbery sequence, and, of course, the villainous Reagan getting his just desserts.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Um roteiro intrincado (ainda que excessivamente reminiscente de "Cidadão Kane") que se beneficia ainda mais graças à direção segura de Siegel e ao elenco excepcional (até Reagan, um ator geralmente medíocre, está bem).
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
A familiar tale of robbery and betrayal unfolds, not enhanced by the glossy colour but given a terrific boost by the fact that the two killers stick around and are superbly characterised by Marvin and Gulager.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Movie remakes seem to be pouring out faster and more frequently than ever before, and it's rare that a remake gets even close to an original, much less equals it or surpasses it.
, Film4
Ernest Hemingway's classic short story is updated and shot in garish colour, with considerably more violence.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, San Francisco Examiner
A superior pulp yarn.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
Even in today's violence-jaded era, the 1964 version of The Killers packs a punch when needed.
Keith Uhlich, ToxicUniverse.com
The selfish cynicism on display, the every-man-and-woman-for-themselves bravado is a more cinematic than televisual conceit.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Bob S

the opening sequence at the diner is freaking genius
Pierluigi P

Siegel's minimalistic style perfectly suits every crime tale he touches. This version rivals Robert Siodmak's previous by being something completely different, having more of a pulp-ish, b-movie sensitivity, au courant with a more nihilistic, violent, and mysogynistic time… More
Siegel's minimalistic style perfectly suits every crime tale he touches. This version rivals Robert Siodmak's previous by being something completely different, having more of a pulp-ish, b-movie sensitivity, au courant with a more nihilistic, violent, and mysogynistic time it was made. Memorable parts played by everyone, especially the badass Lee Marvin, and Angie Dickinson is to die for..
Ken S

The original is where it's at, although this has it's moments. Very watchable.
Randy T

Not as atmospheric as Robert Siodmak's 1946 version but this neo-noirish rendition of Ernest Hemingway's short story does have it's merits. Lee Marvin and Angie Dickinson are standouts in an otherwise lethargic cast. Director Don Siegel took a completely different… More
Not as atmospheric as Robert Siodmak's 1946 version but this neo-noirish rendition of Ernest Hemingway's short story does have it's merits. Lee Marvin and Angie Dickinson are standouts in an otherwise lethargic cast. Director Don Siegel took a completely different approach to the material, resulting in a film that's more of a retelling than a remake. In fact, if the titles weren't the same, it's doubtful you'd even recognize the story. I still favor the original film but <i>The Killers</i> of 1964 isn't nearly as bad as I thought it might be.
Aaron N

Charlie Strom: Sylvester, unless you want to renew your partnership with the late Johnny North, I suggest you tell us everything and anything we want to know. Lee Marvin stars as a seasoned hitman, in a remake of the 1946 film noir of the same title. This story involves the arrival… More
Charlie Strom: Sylvester, unless you want to renew your partnership with the late Johnny North, I suggest you tell us everything and anything we want to know. Lee Marvin stars as a seasoned hitman, in a remake of the 1946 film noir of the same title. This story involves the arrival of two hitmen in a location to kill a man. Upon finding him, the man simply lets himself get shot without trying to flee or barter for his life. Different from the original film, this time, the hitmen themselves decide to find out what this man had been through to make him not care about his own death. The hitmen learn that this man used to be a great race car driver, who ended up turning to crime following an accident. We learn these aspects of the story through flashbacks, as the two hitmen move around the country trying to find answer, and possibly where a large sum of money ended up. In these flashbacks, the man in question is played by John Cassavetes. After meeting a dame played by Angie Dickinson, his life goes downhill from its success, as her mysterious nature leads him to crime. Another seedy character is Ronald Reagan in his final acting role, and only villainous role. This movie is quite good. It stays true to the original film, which is based on a short story by Ernest Hemingway, but it also works as a standalone feature. Since half the film is told in flashback, it is nice to see how well it is handled, just as in the original film. You get a very good sense on how Cassavetes' character gives into the action at the beginning and feel for him. You also get to see Lee Marvin continuing to be a badass no matter what the situation. This is a tightly paced film too, for a crime drama. Don Siegel's direction works well combining the darker noir elements of the original, with the sped up action sense of this remake's tone. And there's a cool score from John Williams. Charlie Strom: He knows me. I had to lean on him once. Lee: You know 'em all, don't ya? Charlie Strom: You never know them all.
Michael G

A decent remake. It's funny to see Ronald Reagan as a villian. Lee Marvin is the quintissential badass and Dickinson is smoking hot. Overall it gives the feeling of a vintage made for TV movie. Catch it if you can...
Steve B

This rating is for the 1946 version -- haven't seen the '64 version yet.
Laura C

Excellent film noir!
Andre T

The Killers, sometimes marketed as Ernest Hemingway's The Killers, is a 1964 crime film released by Universal Studios. It is the second Hollywood adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's short story of the same name, following a version made in 1946 starring Burt Lancaster and Ava… More
The Killers, sometimes marketed as Ernest Hemingway's The Killers, is a 1964 crime film released by Universal Studios. It is the second Hollywood adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's short story of the same name, following a version made in 1946 starring Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner. It was directed by Don Siegel and stars Lee Marvin and Angie Dickinson. At the time of its release, Marvin said that it was his favorite film.One morning, hitmen Charlie (Lee Marvin) and Lee (Clu Gulager) enter a school for the blind and terrorize the principal until she reveals the whereabouts of a teacher, Johnny North (John Cassavetes). As the hitmen walk toward North's upstairs classroom, the teacher receives a call warning him of their arrival. However, a saddened Johnny responds, "It's okay. I know them." He calmly waits at his desk as Charlie and Lee send him to his death in a fusilade of bullets. As they depart from by train, Charlie admits that he is bothered that North refused to flee. He and Lee run through what they know about the man they have just killed. Johnny was once a champion race car driver whose career ended in a violent crash. Four years before his death, he was involved in a one million dollar mail truck robbery. Tempted by the thought of a $1 million payday, Charlie and Lee visit Miami in order to interview Johnny's former mechanic. Good movie with surprise finale.