Review of The Killing (1956) by Ben P — 05 Mar 2012

"What's the difference?" - Johnny Clay (Sterling Hayden) in The Killing.

Anyone who claims to love movies knows that Stanley Kubrick's name is synonymous with legend. One of the most infamous perfectionists in Hollywood left his mark on film history that includes psychological thrillers like A Clockwork Orange and Eyes Wide Shut, visual masterworks like Barry Lyndon and 2001: A Space Odyssey and even dark satires like Full Metal Jacket and Dr. Strangelove and more classics all helped define Kubrick's career. His first dabbles into feature films included the shorts Fear and Desire (1953) and Killer's Kiss (1955) but 1956's The Killing was the then 27-year-old Kubrick's first legitimate narrative film effort. Given the film's durability over time, influence and solid entertainment, The Killing was evidence of Kubrick's early greatness.

The Killing's straightforward, but taught script, written by Kubrick himself and Jim Thompson unravels the noir yarn of a horse track robbery. Johnny Clay (Sterling Hayden) organizes a seasoned group of thieves including, but not limited to, a crooked cop, a foreign muscle head and a skilled rifleman. The plan is meticulously crafted and ready to go into effect with everyone involved benefiting from score. Alas, heist films would be incredibly boring if everything went according to plan.

The cast of The Killing delivers some fantastic performances. Sterling Hayden is a classic criminal that has a commanding presence over his scenes. Elisha Cook Jr. also gives a great performance that isn't quite as dominating as Hayden's. Cook gives the type of performance in a role that would be pitch perfect for William H. Macy today as the wishy washy track clerk who gets involved in the scheme. Marie Windsor as Cook's manipulative wife is bitingly sarcastic and subtly sinister.

Despite The Killing's age (released in 1956), it has obvious influence on some of the best films of the past couple decades. The Killing's non chronological storyline, voiceover narration and ensemble cast of criminals are all similar characteristics used in Quentin Tarantino's dynamite 1992 debut, Reservoir Dogs. During the scene of the robbery itself, Sterling Hayden's character applies a mask to his face that should be very déjà vu inducing for fans of The Dark Knight's opening scene.

It takes a great director to create a film that stands the test of time, luckily The Killing is one of those movies and Stanley Kubrick is one of those directors. Thanks to Kubrick, the actors and the unadulterated entertainment value, The Killing remains one hell of heist movie.

Grade: B+.

Reviewed by Ben Pieper on August 17th 2011.