The Killing (1956) Movie Review

The Killing is about a career criminal who plans an elaborate heist of a horse racing circuit in order to settle down with his girlfriend and finally go straight. But when one of his accomplices tells him scheming wife of the plan, the heist quickly becomes more complicated. 

The film is full of solid twists and turns, presented with clockwork precision both in technical prowess and storytelling proficiency. There is tension at every corner and the more a complication gets exploited, the more emotion you feel for the characters (even acknowledging they’re criminals and liars). 

The film may be created by a director years from creating some of his best work, but it’s still a rosetta stone for everything Stanley Kubrick would later create; it has impeccably framed shots, morally ambiguous characters, and a realistic, documentary-like view of what happens when people engage in criminal behavior. Nonetheless, we root for the characters like we do in any heist movie. 

However, while well-framed, the film is still not as technically proficient as what the director would eventually be capable of (a bar fight in the film could’ve been executed a little better). Also, some of the side characters don’t get the development or attention they might need ([spoiler alert] one character gets only one scene before he dies during the heist). 

Overall the film is effective, but definitely not for those who like “older” movies. However, for those willing to appreciate not only the Stanley Kubrick rosetta stone, but also a film noir-style heist movie, then it’s a high recommendation on that part. 

Despite the film’s commercial losses (possibly as a result of the faults I’ve mentioned) Kubrick realized what he was capable of under the Hollywood studio system, and was better off for it.