Watch The Killing

The Killing is a 1956 crime film directed by Stanley Kubrick and based on the novel Clean Break by Lionel White. The film follows a group of men who plan and execute a meticulously detailed racetrack heist. The film opens with the introduction of the characters involved in the heist, including Johnny Clay (Sterling Hayden), a career criminal who has recently been released from prison and is looking to pull off one last job before retiring. Johnny recruits several individuals to help him undertake the heist, including his girlfriend Fay (Coleen Gray), a crooked cop named Randy (Ted de Corsia), and a marksman named Nikki (Timothy Carey).

Johnny spends months carefully planning every detail of the heist, including the exact timing of each action, the role of each participant, and the logistics of transporting the stolen cash. Finally, the day of the heist arrives, and the team sets their plan in motion. However, complications arise as unforeseen events threaten to unravel their carefully laid plans.

The film uses a non-linear structure, jumping back and forth in time to show various perspectives on the events leading up to and following the heist. This creates an atmosphere of suspense and uncertainty, as the audience is left constantly guessing about the ultimate outcome of the heist.

The film is notable for its strong performances, particularly from Sterling Hayden as Johnny, who brings a complex and nuanced portrayal to his character. The supporting cast is also impressive, with each member of the heist team given their own distinct personalities and motivations.

In addition to its strong performances, the film also features Kubrick's distinctive visual style, with its use of low-angle shots, deep focus cinematography, and carefully composed frames. This creates a stark and gritty atmosphere that captures the dark and dangerous world of the criminals and their heist.

The Killing is widely considered one of Kubrick's early masterpieces, and is often cited as a classic example of film noir. With its intricate plot, strong performances, and distinctive visual style, The Killing remains a suspenseful and engaging crime film that still resonates with audiences today.

The Killing is a 1956 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9 and a MetaScore of 91.