The Killing (1956) is the first feature length 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 Killing | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Stanley Kubrick |
| Written by | Stanley Kubrick Jim Thompson (additional dialogue) Lionel White (the novel Clean Break) |
| Produced by | James B. Harris |
| Starring | Sterling Hayden Coleen Gray Vince Edwards Jay C. Flippen Elisha Cook Jr. Marie Windsor |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
Release dates | 20 May, 1956 (premiere) |
Running time | 83 min. |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $320,000 |
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. Kubrick 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.)
Cast
- Sterling Hayden - Johnny Clay
- Coleen Gray - Fay
- Vince Edwards - Val Cannon
- Jay C. Flippen - Marvin Unger
- Elisha Cook Jr. - George Peatty
- Marie Windsor - Sherry Peatty
Critical reaction
While Kubrick's first 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?"
References
Hirsch, Foster. Film Noir: The Dark Side of the Screen
Muller, Eddie. Dark City: The Lost World of Film Noir