They Live by Night (1948)
Movie Info
Cast
as Bowie Bowers
as Keechie
as Chickamaw
as T-Dub
as Mattie
as Mobley
as Singer
as Hawkins
as Young Farmer
as Hagenheimer
as Young Wife
as Mattie's Husband
as Schreiber
as Commissioner Hubbell
as Porter
as Mrs. Schaeffer
as Cop-Bumper Gag
as Short Order Man
as Lulu
as Motorcycle Cop
as Parking Lot Attendant
as Groom
as Bride
as Boy at Parking Lot
as Waitress
as Bus Driver
as Mother
as Policeman
as Shadow
as Shadow
as Herman
as Tillie
as Plumber
as Lambert
as Alvin
as Girl at Parking Lot
as Man in Tuxedo
as Waiter in Nightclub
as Drunk
as Nurse
as Boy
as Doctor
as Bum
as Mrs. Havilland
as Jeweler
as People
as People
News & Interviews for They Live by Night
Critic Reviews for They Live by Night
All Critics (18) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (18) | Rotten (0) | DVD (1)
There's no attempt at sugarcoating a happy ending, and yarn moves towards its inevitable, tragic climax without compromise.
Passionate, lyrical, and imaginative, it's a remarkably assured debut, from the astonishing opening helicopter shot that follows the escaped convicts' car to freedom, to the final, inexorably tragic climax.
Although it -- like others -- is misguided in its sympathies for a youthful crook, this crime-and-compassion melodrama has the virtues of vigor and restraint.
A key film noir of the 40s, this was Nicholas Ray's first film as a director (1949), and the freshness of his expressionist-documentary style is still apparent and gripping.
Maybe because of this close-up strategy, the actors all have a more naturalistic bent than most of the films of the day, opting for a low-key simmering approach. The result is a more intimate portrait of these two lovers.
They Live by Night works well as a crime film and even better as a romance.
Audience Reviews for They Live by Night
A little too sentimental for my taste, but the film's influence is clearly apparent. Nicolas Ray's sympathy for criminals and of youth culture is on full display, and his innovative overhead helicopter shots is impressive (especially considering that, at the time, using those shots were only used for establishing shots, not to follow action). A clear precursor to Bonnie and Clyde and many famous "love on the run" films.
Super Reviewer
it might be the first film noir i ever saw. anyway i remember it fondly. rip bowie
Super Reviewer
Solid noir is full of despair but well told and acted with assurance.
Super Reviewer
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