The Killers

1946, Crime/Drama, 1h 45m

34 Reviews 2,500+ Ratings

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The Killers Photos

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Movie Info

Two hit men walk into a diner asking for a man called "the Swede" (Burt Lancaster). When the killers find the Swede, he's expecting them and doesn't put up a fight. Since the Swede had a life insurance policy, an investigator (Edmond O'Brien), on a hunch, decides to look into the murder. As the Swede's past is laid bare, it comes to light that he was in love with a beautiful woman (Ava Gardner) who may have lured him into pulling off a bank robbery overseen by another man (Albert Dekker).

Cast & Crew

Burt Lancaster
Ole "The Swede" Andersen, Pete Lund
Ava Gardner
Kitty Collins
Edmond O'Brien
Jim Reardon (investigator)
Albert Dekker
Big Jim Colfax
Sam Levene
Lt. Sam Lubinsky
Virginia Christine
Lilly Harmon Lubinsky
John Miljan
Jake the Rake (uncredited)
Vince Barnett
Charleston (Swede's cellmate)
Charles D. Brown
Packy Robinson
Donald MacBride
R.S. Kenyon
Robert Siodmak
Director
Ernest Hemingway
Writer
Anthony Veiller
Screenwriter
Richard Brooks
Writer
John Huston
Writer
Mark Hellinger
Producer
Miklós Rózsa
Original Music
Elwood Bredell
Cinematography
Arthur Hilton
Film Editing
Martin Obzina
Art Director
Jack Otterson
Art Director
Russell A. Gausman
Set Decoration
Edward R. Robinson
Set Decoration
Carmen Dirigo
Hair Stylist
Jack P. Pierce
Makeup Department Head
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Critic Reviews for The Killers

All Critics (34) | Top Critics (8) | Fresh (34)
Full Review… Wendy Ide Times (UK) Full Review… Variety Staff Variety Full Review… Xan Brooks Guardian Full Review… Don Druker Chicago Reader Full Review… Wally Hammond Time Out Full Review… Bosley Crowther New York Times Full Review… Eric Melin Scene-Stealers.com Full Review… Matt Brunson Creative Loafing Full Review… Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Full Review… Michael E. Grost Classic Film and Television Full Review… Urban Cinefile Critics Urban Cinefile Full Review… Film4 Staff Film4
View All Critic Reviews (34)

Audience Reviews for The Killers

  • Apr 26, 2022
    Think of it as a mash up of "Citizen Kane" and "Double Indemnity". Maybe the ending isn't totally effective but it has one hell of a compelling opening and much of the middle section shades the characters in interesting ways.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
  • Mar 17, 2017
    Although the film is good, by 1946 this kind of story had been told dozens of times. 70 years on it's been told thousands of times.
    Marcus W Super Reviewer
  • Jan 30, 2016
    We follow an insurance claims investigator who stumbles onto clues that lead the perpetrators of a high-profile armed robbery. Only there's a sad tale of desire and lust thrown into the mix, deception, and deceit with a kiss, and that's the gasoline that drives this dragster to its finish line, a view of the world that's ultimately black and white and icy cold.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
  • Nov 15, 2013
    Lancaster's first big screen role is fabulous film noir punctuated by that very memorable bullet ridden opening scene. Far superior to the rubbish that Ronnie Reagan did in the 1960s.
    John B Super Reviewer
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