The Killers

Definition

The Killers is a 1946 film noir directed by Robert Siodmak, based on a short story by Ernest Hemingway. It is significant in the noir genre for its use of flashbacks and its exploration of themes such as fatalism, crime, and the impact of a criminal lifestyle on individuals. This film exemplifies many of the core characteristics of film noir, including its dark visual style influenced by German Expressionism and its morally ambiguous characters.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Killers was one of the first films to showcase the noir style after World War II, helping to establish key conventions for the genre.
2. The film's plot revolves around two hitmen who arrive in a small town to kill a former boxer named Ole Anderson, creating a sense of inevitability that is central to noir storytelling.
3. Burt Lancaster made his film debut in The Killers, playing the role of Ole Anderson, which marked the beginning of his successful acting career.
4. The use of chiaroscuro lighting in The Killers highlights its dark themes and reflects the influence of German Expressionism on American cinema.
5. The narrative structure of The Killers employs multiple flashbacks to reveal Anderson's backstory and the circumstances that led to his fate, showcasing a key technique used in many noir films.

Review Questions

• How does The Killers utilize flashback structure to enhance its storytelling?
  • The Killers effectively uses flashbacks to delve into Ole Anderson's past and reveal the events leading up to his impending death. This narrative technique allows the audience to understand his character more deeply and explore themes such as regret and fatalism. By structuring the story this way, the film creates suspense and emotional impact, as viewers witness how choices and circumstances intertwine to shape Anderson's tragic fate.
• In what ways does The Killers exemplify the characteristics of film noir, particularly in terms of visual style and themes?
  • The Killers exemplifies film noir through its use of chiaroscuro lighting, shadowy compositions, and stark contrasts that evoke a sense of danger and moral ambiguity. Thematically, it explores ideas of crime, inevitability, and personal downfall, common elements in many noir films. Characters are portrayed with complexities that highlight their flaws and struggles, reinforcing the notion that choices often lead to tragic consequences.
• Analyze how The Killers reflects the influence of German Expressionism on American film noir and discuss its impact on subsequent films in the genre.
  • The Killers showcases the influence of German Expressionism through its dramatic use of shadows and stark lighting to create an atmosphere of tension and unease. This stylistic choice not only enhances the film's emotional depth but also sets a precedent for visual storytelling in subsequent film noir titles. By adopting these techniques, later filmmakers were able to develop their own unique styles while retaining core noir themes of existential dread and moral ambiguity, which have continued to resonate in modern cinema.

Related terms

Film Noir: A cinematic style characterized by its dark themes, moral ambiguity, and visual style, often involving crime, corruption, and complex characters.

Flashback Structure: A narrative technique where the storyline jumps back in time to provide context or background for the characters or events occurring in the present.

German Expressionism: An artistic movement that emerged in the early 20th century, known for its stylized visuals and emotional intensity, which greatly influenced the visual aesthetics of film noir.