Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersIndependent Spirit AwardsWomen's History MonthSXSWSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
Sign In
New Customer? Create account
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

The Killers

  • 19461946
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
22K
YOUR RATING
Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, William Conrad, and Charles McGraw 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
92 Photos
CrimeDramaFilm-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
7.7/10
22K
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
  • 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
    • 146User reviews
    • 111Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 4 Oscars
      • 3 wins & 5 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:53
    Watch Official Trailer

    Photos92

    "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, Ava Gardner, Albert Dekker, and Sam Levene in The Killers (1946)
    Sam Levene, Edmond O'Brien, and George Anderson in The Killers (1946)
    Sam Levene and Edmond O'Brien in The Killers (1946)
    Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, and Sam Levene 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
      • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

      More like this

      Out of the Past
      8.0
      Out of the Past
      The Killers
      7.0
      The Killers
      Criss Cross
      7.4
      Criss Cross
      The Asphalt Jungle
      7.8
      The Asphalt Jungle
      Gilda
      7.6
      Gilda
      White Heat
      8.1
      White Heat
      The Big Heat
      7.9
      The Big Heat
      Laura
      7.9
      Laura
      The Lady from Shanghai
      7.5
      The Lady from Shanghai
      In a Lonely Place
      7.9
      In a Lonely Place
      The Postman Always Rings Twice
      7.4
      The Postman Always Rings Twice
      To Have and Have Not
      7.8
      To Have and Have Not

      Storyline

      Edit

      Did you know

      Edit
      • Trivia
        Film debut of Burt Lancaster. Although this was his first film--at 33 years of age--he received top billing.
      • Goofs
        In the jailhouse, 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 10th 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 reviews146

      Review
      Review
      Featured review
      8/10
      Flashback-told film noir that aged really well.
      'The Killers' was released on 1946. Back then, the film-noir genre was really popular. And in my opinion, this one is one of the best of this great cinematic genre, because it's told in a different way than most of its time. This movie is told through really smart flashbacks.

      'The Killers' begins with two hit men arriving in a small town with only one objective: kill 'Swede' Anderson (Burt Lancaster). After this, a detective starts to investigate his death, by interviewing the people of the town. This is how he uncovers a murderous plot evolving multiple characters. This is one of those movies that really keeps you interesting and anxious on what's going to happen, ans when the plot reveals itself, it's really awesome how everything is around Kitty Collins (Ava Gardner). The story is well-told and aged really well.

      The acting here is not superb, but it's not bad also. The movie is important because it's the first major role of Burt Lancaster, and the movie made him a star. It also features the always beautiful and mysterious Ava Gardner and the competent Edward O'Brien, in a interesting role.

      I have never watched a Robert Siodmak picture before, and was surprised to see how well he directed this picture. The camera was always at an interesting and different angle, and there's one nice tracking shot in the middle of the movie. Along with the well-made soundtrack by Miklós Rózsa, and the also well-made cinematography by Elwood Bredell the mood in here couldn't be better.

      Overral, this is a great film-noir movie, one of the best of its genre. It aged really well, most because of Ernest Hemingway's powerful story. It keeps you interested, with nice acting and directing.

      8/10
      helpful•21
      2
      • Diego_rjc
      • Jan 25, 2010

      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(Studio)
      • 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

      Related news

      Contribute to this page

      Suggest an edit or add missing content
      Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, William Conrad, and Charles McGraw in The Killers (1946)
      Top Gap
      What is the Brazilian Portuguese language plot outline for The Killers (1946)?
      Answer
      • See more gaps
      • Learn more about contributing
      Edit page

      More to explore

      Recently viewed

      Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
      Get the IMDb App
      Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
      • Get the IMDb App
      • Help
      • Site Index
      • IMDbPro
      • Box Office Mojo
      • IMDb Developer
      • Press Room
      • Advertising
      • Jobs
      • Conditions of Use
      • Privacy Policy
      • Your Ads Privacy Choices
      IMDb, an Amazon company

      © 1990-2023 by IMDb.com, Inc.