Customer Reviews

Film Noir Classics 1 [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

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With the exception of The Big Heat the rest of films in this boxset are B-Movies filmed on a small budget and showed in double bills; but these classics are proof enough to justify the existence of the B movie These noires are real classics of the genre: The Big Heat stars Glen Ford as a cop out for revenge against a gangster who killed his wife; bristling with raw violence, A-star cast and a gripping story this Fritz Lang directed noir is classic and even stars Lee Marvin in a early yet vicious role. The Lineup is without doubt one of Don Seigel's finest films about two twisted hitmen who must track down a missing shipment of heroin, boasting a brilliant final car chase, vicious violence and a fast-paced plot this is another crime gem. The Sniper is an early example of the killer sniper about ten years before Peter Bogdanovich's disturbing "Targets" (1968) which follows a woman hating sniper who decides to viciously pick them off, although The Sniper is not as strong as The Lineup or The Big Heat it is still a enjoyable noir that boasts tension and suspense. Murder by Contract is my favourite in the boxset and feels more like a Bresson film than noir and is prototype hitman tale, about a hitman who must assassinate a mob witness; a brilliant surf-guitar track, thick atmosphere, compelling characters and powerful finale makes this an intelligent noir and star and crown jewel of the this boxset. Finally do not watch 5 against the House it is the only dud in the boxset and without doubt the worst, (it is a perfect example of inferior B-movie) but the other four classics drown it out. If you love film noirs, you should get this set which boasts pristine transfers and gripping films.

Maybe I'm a purist but I don't consider all of these Film Noir - good efficient B&W thrillers, but there's very little real exploration of the dark side of human nature except in the brilliant Murder By Contract, and possibly The Big Heat. The Lineup is a standard lantern jaw cop movie, all movement, no depth, and a bit insensitive to the plight of the woman and child at the end. I don't want to be too hard on it, because it's certainly watchable, but Five Against the House features the most irritating picture of student life I think I've ever seen - unfunny wisecracks, nobody actually possessing a book or showing any evidence they're read one, naff love story, daffy heist - but at least there's an attempt to recognise post-traumatic stress disorder and a creative avoidance of the usual bloodbath at the end. The Sniper goes further into human psychology with a picture of a woman-hating killer, but the rather lunkheaded police investigation undermines this narrative element. The Big Heat is a classic though, even for those who don't care for Glenn Ford, because of strong story, characters and execution, as well as a great performance by Gloria Grahame. Murder by Contract is almost impossible to find - a low, low budget thriller made in a few days but one that really grips the attention possibly owing to a fascinating performance by Vince Edwards and some very unusual incidental music. It's worth getting this set just for that.