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Double Indemnity
1944
Director Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler (Creator of the ultimate private investigator, Philp Marlowe - 'The Big Sleep', 'Farewell My Lovely'), adapted James M. Cain's hard-boiled novel into this dark film noir. Insurance investigator Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) plans the perfect murder with the beautiful Phyllis Dietrichson .. Read more
| Starring | Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson |
|---|---|
| Director | Billy Wilder |
| Genres | Drama |
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Double Indemnity
Director Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler (Creator of the ultimate private investigator, Philp Marlowe - 'The Big Sleep', 'Farewell My Lovely'), adapted James M. Cain's hard-boiled novel into this dark film noir. Insurance investigator Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) plans the perfect murder with the beautiful Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck): murder Dietrichson's husband and make off with the insurance money. But, of course, things never quite go as planned and Barton Keyes (Edward G. Robinson) is the wily insurance investigator's boss who has a feeling that not all is as it seems.
| Starring | Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson |
|---|---|
| Director | Billy Wilder |
| Studio | UNIVERSAL PICTURES UK |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 41 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 11 Jul 2005 Production year: 1944 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (6)
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This is a decidedly tame take on Billy Wilder's classic 1944 thriller about a femme fatale who lures a hapless insurance investigator into murdering her husband and then declares the death an accident so she can make a claim on his policy. Samantha Eggar simply lacks the simmering sexuality of Barbara Stanwyck, leaving the viewer unconvinced by Richard Crenna's decision to risk everything for her love. Lee J Cobb doesn't really cut it in the Edward G Robinson role, either, though he's easily the pick of the cast.
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Archetypal film noir of the forties, brilliantly filmed and incisively written, perfectly capturing the decayed Los Angeles atmosphere of a Chandler novel but using a simpler story and more substantial characters. The hero/villain was almost a new
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Most helpful member's review
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57 out of 65 people found this review helpful
Black and White classic
There are those that turn their noses up at films made in black and white. To those I say rent this DVD and you will be renting an intelligent and highly enthrauling film noir.
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- TheMovieman from Ramsbottom
- Posted 02 Jun 2005 16:29
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Most recent members' review
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5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
An Amazing Picture
People take 'old' films for granted - in an age of rom-coms, computer animation, and superhero blockbusters the old classics tend to be overlooked. 1944's 'Double Indemnity' demonstrates all of the twists, turns, wit, interlect and deceit you'd expect from Film Noir, with the performers pulling off brilliant performances and the story told in such a way that the viewer is left with a feeling of suspense as the plan is put into action.
There are weaknesses - a few of the suggestions made by insurance boss Barton Keyes are a little farfetched and seem to be conveniently slotted in so the plot can be driven forward, but this shouldn't deter anyone from giving this one a try. If you're new to the Film Noir genre, this is a good place to start. -
News and features
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Cloud 9
- 06 Jul 2009
Infidelity is always popular at the movies. From Double Indemnity through to Revolutionary Road, playing away is reliably pregnant with drama. It’s been done so often, though, in farce, in soap operas and tragedies, you wonder if there is anything new to say on the subject. This German drama does come up with a new wrinkle or two. Inge (Ursula Werner) is married to Werner (Horst Rehberg)… Comfortably, even happily married. They have settled into their routines as married folk do,... Read more
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Double Indemnity
Director Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler (Creator of the ultimate private investigator, Philp Marlowe - 'The Big Sleep', 'Farewell My Lovely'), adapted James M. Cain's hard-boiled novel into this dark film noir. Insurance investigator Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) plans the perfect murder with the ...
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