Killers Reviews

A killing explained

The Killers tells the story of why a man (Burt Lancaster) is tracked down by two hired killers and shot dead. Edmund O'Brien plays an insurance investigator who uncovers an armed robbery and a tale of betrayal and double-cross. The story is told largely in flashback from a number of perspectives, and with the talents on display should be better. However it seems to lack something; maybe it's the central implausibility of why an insurance investigator should be looking into matters that would surely be the province of the police, maybe it's Ava Gardner as the femme fatale (not an actress that I ever rated much), maybe the plot is just too confusing. Nonetheless it still deserves its reputation as one of the best of the 40s film noirs that helped define the genre/style.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Hard-boiled par excellence.....

Wow - superb. A film noir played mostly in flashback. Burt Lancaster is razor sharp as a fighter-turned-thug, Ava Gardner is icy cold as the femme fatale, Edmond O'Brien is the dogged insurance investigator and William Conrad plays one of the hitmen of the title. The film is based on a Hemmingway short story. It was also cut very cleverly into Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid. See it.

Fantastic Film Noir

This has all of the elements of a classic film noir present and correct - femme fatale, double-crossing, twisty plot and a dark, hard-bitten atmosphere. All of the characters are good and Ava Gardner's schemer is brilliant. The plot is fantastic and you are drawn in immediately from the very beginning. I love this film and I would like to see anything else that is like it.

good

A good film right from the opening scene ,good pacing, script, acting, keeps your attention all the way through

[Highly rated reviewer]

Burt is beautiful

Just watch this to see Lancaster move! He goes from calm stillness into super dynamic movement like no other actor. He's one of only a handful of real film actors and this, although not his best film, is pretty close to perfect. The supporting cast is a delight esspecially the eponymous killers, who are very VERY scary! My only slight dissapointment is Ava Gardener, she is beautiful sure but compared to Rita Hayworth in Lady from Shanhai she just aint got it! She's not EVIL enough! It's a very small complaint and she is gorgeous! Just watch this film!

Classic

This is a classic. Don't miss it.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Great stuff

Fantastic,Ava Gardner smoulders, Burt Lancaster moves like only he can. Film noir at it's best. Told in flash back it drawers you in and keeps you there.

The opening scenes reminded me of 'A history of violence' with it's cafe setting and the edgy and menacing killers. Put your hand up Mr Cronenburg (that's never how you spell it)

killers

intelligent,entertaining and gripping, great storyline that has twists right up to the end,great performances from everyone involved. They dont make films like this anymore, sadly.

[Highly rated reviewer]

You'll need to concentrate!

I know this is a classic, but it's not one to watch when you're a bit tired and you've had a drink. Burt Lancaster is the star but he's not the main protagonist; he dies in the opening scene and from then on it's flashback city as the insurance investigator tries to find out what happened to him, with a flimsy femme fetale Ava Gardner who isn't in it too much. It didn't do too much for me and it's all a bit low-key - I never felt much sympathy for Burt's character I'm sorry to say.

the killers

Moody and mean. Quite Runyonesque. Like Guys and Dolls but without the music and plus violence.

Excellent performances from Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner,