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IMDbPro

The Killers

  • 19461946
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
21K
YOUR RATING
Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, Albert Dekker, Sam Levene, and Edmond O'Brien in The Killers (1946)
Hit men kill an unresisting victim, and investigator Reardon uncovers his past involvement with beautiful, deadly Kitty Collins.
Play trailer1:53
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Film-Noir
Hit men kill an unresisting victim, and investigator Reardon uncovers his past involvement with beautiful, deadly Kitty Collins.Hit men kill an unresisting victim, and investigator Reardon uncovers his past involvement with beautiful, deadly Kitty Collins.Hit men kill an unresisting victim, and investigator Reardon uncovers his past involvement with beautiful, deadly Kitty Collins.
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
21K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Robert Siodmak
  • Writers
    • Anthony Veiller(screenplay)
    • Ernest Hemingway(from the story by)
    • John Huston(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Burt Lancaster
    • Ava Gardner
    • Edmond O'Brien
Top credits
  • Director
    • Robert Siodmak
  • Writers
    • Anthony Veiller(screenplay)
    • Ernest Hemingway(from the story by)
    • John Huston(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Burt Lancaster
    • Ava Gardner
    • Edmond O'Brien
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 138User reviews
    • 104Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 4 Oscars
      • 3 wins & 5 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:53
    Official Trailer

    Photos100

    "The Killers" Ava Gardner 1946 Universal Pictures
    Burt Lancaster publicity shot from "The Killers"
    Ava Gardner Film Set Killers, The (1946) 0038669
    Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, Albert Dekker, and Sam Levene in The Killers (1946)
    Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner in The Killers (1946)
    Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, Albert Dekker, Sam Levene, and Edmond O'Brien in The Killers (1946)
    Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner in The Killers (1946)
    Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner in The Killers (1946)
    Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner in The Killers (1946)
    Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, Albert Dekker, and Sam Levene in The Killers (1946)
    Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, and Albert Dekker in The Killers (1946)
    Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, and Albert Dekker in The Killers (1946)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Burt Lancaster
    Burt Lancaster
    • Ole 'Swede' Anderson
    Ava Gardner
    Ava Gardner
    • Kitty Collins
    Edmond O'Brien
    Edmond O'Brien
    • Jim Reardon
    Albert Dekker
    Albert Dekker
    • Big Jim Colfax
    Sam Levene
    Sam Levene
    • Police Lt. Sam Lubinsky
    Vince Barnett
    Vince Barnett
    • Charleston
    Virginia Christine
    Virginia Christine
    • Lilly Harmon Lubinsky
    Jack Lambert
    Jack Lambert
    • 'Dum-Dum' Clarke
    Charles D. Brown
    • Packy Robinson - Ole's Manager
    Donald MacBride
    Donald MacBride
    • R.S. Kenyon
    Charles McGraw
    Charles McGraw
    • Al
    William Conrad
    William Conrad
    • Max
    Ernie Adams
    Ernie Adams
    • Hood with Cane
    • (uncredited)
    Audley Anderson
    • Assistant Paymaster
    • (uncredited)
    George Anderson
    • Jail Ward Doctor
    • (uncredited)
    Sam Ash
    Sam Ash
      Frank Baker
      Frank Baker
      • Fight Spectator
      • (uncredited)
      Brooks Benedict
      Brooks Benedict
      • Party Guest
      • (uncredited)
      • Director
        • Robert Siodmak
      • Writers
        • Anthony Veiller(screenplay)
        • Ernest Hemingway(from the story by)
        • John Huston(uncredited)
      • All cast & crew
      • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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      Detour
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      Storyline

      Edit

      Did you know

      Edit
      • Trivia
        Film debut of Burt Lancaster. NOTE: Although this was his first film--at 33 years of age--he received top billing.
      • Goofs
        In the jail house scene, Charleston (Vince Barnett) tells The Swede (Burt Lancaster) of his love for the stars. As he looks out the window, he says that he says he sees Orion and a prominent star, Betelgeuse. He says that Orion is the "Great Bear" and that Betelgeuse is the "brightest star in the sky." Orion is actually The Hunter. Ursa Major (containing the Big Dipper) is the Great Bear. Betelgeuse, while quite bright, is actually the 9th brightest star.
      • Quotes

        [last lines]

        [after Reardon has wrapped up the investigation, Kenyon congratulates him]

        R.S. Kenyon: Owing to your splendid efforts the basic rate of The Atlantic Casualty Company - as of 1947 - will probably drop one-tenth of a cent.

        [he shakes Reardon's hand]

        R.S. Kenyon: Congratulations, Mr. Reardon.

        Jim Reardon: I'd rather have a night's sleep.

        R.S. Kenyon: Why don't you take a good rest. I must say you've earned it.

        [Reardon starts to leave]

        R.S. Kenyon: This is Friday... don't come in 'til Monday.

        Jim Reardon: Thanks.

      • Connections
        Edited into Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982)
      • Soundtracks
        The More I Know of Love
        (1946)

        Music by Miklós Rózsa

        Lyrics Jack Brooks

        Performed by Ava Gardner (uncredited)

      User reviews138

      Review
      Top review
      8/10
      You're a pretty bright boy ain't ya?
      "It's a really a good yarn." That's what President Ronald Regan said about Tom Clancy's book "The Hunt for Red October". The same thing can be said about this movie. It's like a big yarn. And in the end you're still not quite sure who screwed who. Two men walks in to a diner. It becomes clear that what they're after isn't eggs and bacon but a man. A man named Swede. Swede has done something. A long time ago and now it's catching up to him.

      Ernest Hemingway's "The Killers" is a good film noir. It's based on a short story and the only connection between it and this movie is the opening scene. The rest is written by various other writers. The film was entertaining. Drawn out at times but entertaining none the same. Humor combined with drama like the dialogue in the opening scene makes you think about it later on and it doesn't just leave your mind three minutes later.

      The gritty film noir style and filming is quite clear in this movie. Especially in the opening scene which remains as my favorite part in the film. The use of shadow and light is wonderful. As for the rest of the movie, it was good and even a bit thrilling at times. This is definitely recommended to people who like good film noir.
      helpful•36
      14
      • Danny-Rodriguez
      • Jan 31, 2006

      Details

      Edit
      • Release date
        • August 30, 1946 (United States)
      • Country of origin
        • United States
      • Language
        • English
      • Also known as
        • A Man Alone (1946)
      • Filming locations
        • Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA
      • Production company
        • Mark Hellinger Productions
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Box office

      Edit
      • Gross worldwide
        • $58,222
      See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

      Technical specs

      Edit
      • Runtime
        1 hour 43 minutes
      • Color
        • Black and White
      • Aspect ratio
        • 1.37 : 1

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