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The Killing
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The Killing | |
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| Directed by | Stanley Kubrick |
| Produced by | James B. Harris |
| Written by | Stanley Kubrick, Jim Thompson (additional dialogue), Lionel White (the novel Clean Break) |
| Starring | Sterling Hayden, Coleen Gray, Vince Edwards, Jay C. Flippen, Elisha Cook Jr., Marie Windsor |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
| Release date(s) | 20 May 1956 (premiere) |
| Running time | 83 min. |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $320,000 |
| All Movie Guide profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
The Killing (1956) is a film by Stanley Kubrick based on the novel Clean Break by Lionel White. The film noir depicts the efforts of Johnny Clay (Sterling Hayden) and an assembled team to rob a racetrack.
The use of non-linear chronology and multiple points of view influenced many later filmmakers, such as Quentin Tarantino. When studio executives first saw the completed film, they stated that the film made no sense and no audience would sit through the non-linear story. The director re-edited the movie then found that the key to telling the story was to keep it the way it was in the book, and the way he first edited it. United Artists released the film at the bottom of double bills.
The film credits pulp writer Jim Thompson with "additional dialogue", though there is some question as to whether that credit fairly describes the extent of Thompson's contributions to the script. (Thompson was credited as a full co-writer on Kubrick's next film Paths of Glory.)
While Kubrick's second film, Killer's Kiss, was considered a fine effort, The Killing is regarded as a work by a professional filmmaker. Eddie Muller writes:
- "With The Killing, Stanley Kubrick offered a monument to the classic caper film, and a fresh gust of filmmaking in one package. Who knew when he wrapped it, that it would be the last amusing movie he'd ever make?"
Hirsch, Foster. Film Noir: The Dark Side of the Screen
Muller, Eddie. Dark City: The Lost World of Film Noir
Films: Fear and Desire • Killer's Kiss • The Killing • Paths of Glory • Spartacus • Lolita • Dr. Strangelove • 2001: A Space Odyssey • A Clockwork Orange • Barry Lyndon • The Shining • Full Metal Jacket • Eyes Wide Shut
Shorts: Day of the Fight • Flying Padre • The Seafarers
Productions: A.I.: Artificial Intelligence
Kubrick's films in popular culture: I'm Spartacus! • Dr. Strangelove • 2001: A Space Odyssey • A Clockwork Orange • The Shining