Comments on: The Killers http://filmjournal.net/livius/2008/03/16/the-killers/ Mainly Western and Noir reviews Sat, 22 Nov 2008 12:28:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.0 by: Livius http://filmjournal.net/livius/2008/03/16/the-killers/#comment-412 Mon, 17 Mar 2008 09:46:05 +0000 http://filmjournal.net/livius/2008/03/16/the-killers/#comment-412 Thanks for the comment 'films noir'. Much of the great dialogue in the opening segment is lifted directly from Hemingway, including the glorious "We're killing him for a friend." I agree that the script change you mentioned is an improvement - it turns it into one of those defining lines in noir. Thanks for the comment ‘films noir’.

Much of the great dialogue in the opening segment is lifted directly from Hemingway, including the glorious “We’re killing him for a friend.” I agree that the script change you mentioned is an improvement - it turns it into one of those defining lines in noir.

]]> by: films noir http://filmjournal.net/livius/2008/03/16/the-killers/#comment-406 Mon, 17 Mar 2008 01:04:48 +0000 http://filmjournal.net/livius/2008/03/16/the-killers/#comment-406 A nice review of a great film noir. You captured the essence of Lancaster's performance. As I have said elsewhere: In Hemingway’s text the Swede’s explanation to Nick is “I got it wrong”, but this is changed in the script to “I did something wrong - once”. These stronger words are the fulcrum of the picture. Ole’s repentance is established from the outset and his tragic redemption seared into the viewer’s sympathies even before his story unfolds. A nice review of a great film noir. You captured the essence of Lancaster’s performance.

As I have said elsewhere: In Hemingway’s text the Swede’s explanation to Nick is “I got it wrong”, but this is changed in the script to “I did something wrong - once”. These stronger words are the fulcrum of the picture. Ole’s repentance is established from the outset and his tragic redemption seared into the viewer’s sympathies even before his story unfolds.

]]> by: Livius http://filmjournal.net/livius/2008/03/16/the-killers/#comment-403 Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:31:00 +0000 http://filmjournal.net/livius/2008/03/16/the-killers/#comment-403 Thanks for that clydefro. I also think that Lee Marvin is one of the best things about the '64 film. I did enjoy it as an alternative take on the story, but it's quite different in style and emphasis to Siodmak's movie. Thanks for that clydefro.

I also think that Lee Marvin is one of the best things about the ‘64 film. I did enjoy it as an alternative take on the story, but it’s quite different in style and emphasis to Siodmak’s movie.

]]> by: clydefro http://filmjournal.net/livius/2008/03/16/the-killers/#comment-402 Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:06:41 +0000 http://filmjournal.net/livius/2008/03/16/the-killers/#comment-402 Nice one Livius. I heartily agree with you about Siodmak's film and its merits. It's been too long since I caught up with it, but I also find it to be completely representative of film noir. Lancaster is perfect and, of course, John Huston's uncredited screenplay work doesn't hurt. In Siegel's version, I think I like Lee Marvin more than I do the film, but it's not bad either. Probably one of my favorite Criterion releases even now. I can remember pre-ordering it (when I was still in college) and it may have been only the second or third Criterion DVD I bought. Nice one Livius. I heartily agree with you about Siodmak’s film and its merits. It’s been too long since I caught up with it, but I also find it to be completely representative of film noir. Lancaster is perfect and, of course, John Huston’s uncredited screenplay work doesn’t hurt.

In Siegel’s version, I think I like Lee Marvin more than I do the film, but it’s not bad either. Probably one of my favorite Criterion releases even now. I can remember pre-ordering it (when I was still in college) and it may have been only the second or third Criterion DVD I bought.

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