Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
|
Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
Director Billy Wilder (Sunset Boulevard) and writer Raymond Chandler (The Big Sleep) adapted James M. Cain's hard-boiled novel into this wildly thrilling story of insurance man Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray), who schemes the perfect murder with the beautiful dame Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck: kill Dietrichson's husband and make off with the insurance money. But, of course, in these plots things never quite go as planned, and Barton Keyes (Edward G. Robinson) is the wily insurance investigator who must sort things out. From the opening scene you know Neff is doomed, as the story is told in flashback; yet, to the film's credit, this doesn't diminish any of the tension of the movie. This early film noir flick is wonderfully campy by today's standards, and the dialogue is snappy ("I thought you were smarter than the rest, Walter. But I was wrong. You're not smarter, just a little taller"), filled with lots of "dame"s and "baby"s. Stanwyck is the ultimate femme fatale, and MacMurray, despite a career largely defined by roles as a softy (notably in the TV series My Three Sons and the movie The Shaggy Dog), is convincingly cast against type as the hapless, love-struck sap. --Jenny Brown
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Mono ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Box Set, Interactive Menu, Multi-DVD Set, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: "Double Indemnity (Dir. Billy Wilder, 1944):; Director Billy Wilder and writer Raymond Chandler ('The Big Sleep') adapted James M. Cain's hard-boiled novel into this wildly thrilling story of insurance man Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray), who schemes the perfect murder with the beautiful dame Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck): kill Dietrichson's husband and make off with the insurance money. But, of course, in these plots things never quite go as planned and Barton Keyes (Edward G. Robinson) is the wily insurance investigator who has a feeling that not all is as it seems...; ; The Lady Eve (Dir. Preston Sturges, 1941):; Under Sturges's typically antic microscope, the collision between the gold-digging Harrington and the very rich, very hapless brewery-heir-turned-herpetologist Charles Pike (a wonderfully callow, guileless Henry Fonda) yields ample opportunity for the writer-director to skewer issues of class and sex; as always, Sturges is bold in pushing the censors' envelope, capturing a palpable erotic heat between the canny Jean and the literally feverish Charlie, who, after a year up the Amazon, is instantly smitten by the mere sight of her shapely ankles (in hindsight, a precursor to her subsequent effect in 'Double Indemnity').; ; The Bitter Tea Of General Yen (Dir. Frank Capra, 1933):; Caught in a Chinese rebellion, newly-arrived American Megan Davis (Stanwyck) is rescued by a cultured bandit, General Yen. When she realises she is being held captive she sets about undermining her captor. In time, however, she finds that it is not her confinement she must fight against - rather it is her growing attraction ...Barbara Stanwyck 6 Disc Box Set ( Double Indemnity / The Bitter Tea of General Yen / The Miracle Woman / The Lady Eve / All I Desire / Golden Boy )
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
44 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Along with Tourneur's OUT OF THE PAST (1947), Billy Wilder's DOUBLE INDEMNITY is the definitive film noir, a masterpiece that rewards countless viewings and proved hugely influential. Virtually remade as BODY HEAT in 1981, and the inspiration for any number of sweaty, neo-noir pale imitations, this brilliant film remains the real deal and unsurpassed.
Wilder's fractious collaboration with the great Raymond Chandler produced a wonderful screenplay, dripping with sharp dialogue and fatalistic symbolism, whilst the performances of the three leads - FRED MacMURRAY, BARBARA STANWYCK and EDWARD G ROBINSON - are faultless and represent their finest screenwork. Stanwyck's marvellously cold, cyncial and manipulative femme fatale remains the template for all that followed and her tart as a lemon dialogue exchanges with MacMurray's bluff, self-confident Insurance Claims Investigator are amongst the greatest in any film.
To add to these elements JOHN F. SEITZ, one of film noir's finest cameramen, creates visual poetry from the sunlight streaming through Californian windows and shadows of forboding during the beautifully staged murder sequence.
Come to think of it, this isn't just one of the greatest film noirs ever made, it's simply one of the greatest films ever made, period. If you haven't seen it, buy it now, if you had it on VHS from a long ago TV screening, still buy it as this print is excellent and probably the best available, although there's a disappointing lack of extras on the DVD.
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I`ve been waiting for this classic to be released ever since i bought a dvd player! Billy wilder has to be one of cinema`s finest director`s ever,it`s hard to pick his best work what with sunset boulevard,some like it hot & ace in the hole (hopefully the next in line for a dvd release) among others but if someone put a gun to my head i`d have to say double indemnity.Being a big fan of old movies & in particular film noir this one is simply perfect,great script(co-scripted by Raymond chandler himself),superb acting from the three leads & great cinematography.If your into old movies & film noir trust me you need to see this,even if there are no extras.
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
At last , Billy Wilder's work is coming to region 2. This 1944 film noir sees Fred MacMurray playing insurance agent Walter Neff , who becomes involved with black widow - Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck). Cue: double crossing, hard boiled dialogue , much match striking by human thumb and a scene stealing performance by Edward G Robinson as Barton T Keyes. This film just sizzles along and is not to be missed. Double Indemnity was oscar nominated for best picture and director. Unfortunately it lost out , however , Wilder would return the next year with The Lost Weekend which took best picture , director and actor (Ray Milland). When Billy Wilder died in 2002 the world lost a brillaint film director - thank fully his legacy lives on.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A classic piece of cinema
I first had the privilege of watching Double Indemnity as part of film studies. It truly is a classic piece of film noir. Read more
Published 2 months ago by J. Lewis
film noir
a chandler novel with a simple story,brilliantly made by Billy Wilder.An Insurance agent connives with the wife of a client to kill her husband and collect the insurance... Read more
Published 6 months ago by alana
The Ultimate Noir
There are some films which represent near perfection in terms of casting, script, cinematography, ending, etc and this is one of them - incidentally Billy Wilder made two other... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Keith M
Disappointing
Was watching this with friends and didn't even make it to the end as we all found the dialogue poor and the acting wooden. Disappointing.
Published 7 months ago by Anon
An excellent film.
I bought this film after hearing an afternoon play on BBC radio 4 on the difficulties and foibles of Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler when cooperating to write the screenplay... Read more
Published 7 months ago by A. Roberts
double indemnity
A perfect 'film noir' - Macmurry and Stanwyck at their very best. A 'must see' for all their fans and lovers of film noir. A fascinating film that keeps the attention through out. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mr. E. D. Payne
Absolutely Gripping
I first (and last) saw this maybe 35 years ago and thought it was great. For the last few years I've been hoping for a bluray, but gave up on that and got the dvd. Read more
Published 9 months ago by E. Smith
distilled essence of film noir
This film is the test of whether or not you love film noir. From the beginning, when Fred begins his confession as a wounded man in his office, you know that you are going to... Read more
Published 9 months ago by rob crawford
Classic
Original movies are always the best,in my view...Any movie,in which you cannot avert your eyes away from the screen..for one moment,will do for me.. Read more
Published 12 months ago by maxxxx
Classic Noir
Starring Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray and Edward G. Robinson and directed by Billy Wilder, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Raymond Chandler, Double Indemnity is a classic... Read more
Published 22 months ago by M. D. Jenkins
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192198663_.gif){kind=small}
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
