Movies / The Killers (1964)

5/10

Runtime: 93 min

Genres: Crime Drama Mystery

Languages: English

Countries: USA


Don Siegel directed this intensely pessimistic re-make of Robert Siodmak's 1946 film noir masterpiece The Killers, based upon a story by Ernest Hemingway. As the story opens two professional looking men in business suits -- Charlie (Lee Marvin) and Lee (Clu Gulager) -- push their way into a school for the blind and terrorize a secretary until she reveals the whereabouts of Johnny North (John Cassavetes). When Charlie and Lee trace Johnny to an automobile repair class, Johnny just stands there as the two men gun him down. Afterwards, Charlie wonders why Johnny just stood there, accepting his death. He also starts to wonder about his hefty paycheck for the murder and rumors that Johnny was involved in a million-dollar heist. He decides to pay Johnny's old friend Earl Sylvester (Claude Akins) a visit at his auto shop in Florida. Earl recalls the summer day long ago when former race car driver Johnny caught the eye of the rich and beautiful Sheila Farr (Angie Dickinson). Johnny has been preparing for a race, but Sheila's attentions sidetrack him. The day of the big race, Earl notices that Sheila is visited by a group of rich gangsters, headed by Browning (Ronald Reagan, in a very surprising performance). During the race, Johnny is involved in a terrible crash, effectively ending his racing career. However, it seems Browning is arranging a mail heist and hires Johnny to drive the getaway car. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi


Directors (1) Credit
Don Siegel (as Donald Siegel)
Writers (2) Credit
Ernest Hemingway (story)
Gene L. Coon (screenplay)
Composers (2) Credit
Fred Steiner (uncredited)
John Williams (as Johnny Williams)
Editors (1) Credit
Richard Belding ...
Cinematographers (1) Credit
Richard L. Rawlings (director of photography)
Actors (26) Credit
Angie Dickinson Sheila Farr
Bert Stevens Race Crowd Extra (uncredited)
Burt Mustin Elderly Man
Claude Akins Earl Sylvester
Clu Gulager Lee
Davis Roberts MaƮtre D'
Don Haggerty Mail Truck Driver
Don Siegel Cook at diner (uncredited)
Hall Brock Race Marshal
Irvin Mosley Jr. Mail Truck Guard (as Irvin Mosley)
Jimmy Joyce Salesman
John Cassavetes Johnny North
John Copage Porter
Kathleen O'Malley Miss Leslie - the receptionist
Lee Marvin Charlie Strom
Nancy Wilson Singer (uncredited)
Norman Fell Mickey Farmer
Peter Hobbs Instructor
Richard Lane Demolition Derby Announcer (uncredited)
Robert Phillips George Fleming
Ronald Reagan Jack Browning
Scott Hale Hotel Clerk
Seymour Cassel Postal Clerk
Ted Jacques Gym Assistant
Tyler McVey Steward
Virginia Christine Miss Watson