My quick review of The Killers (1964) directed by Don Siegel

The Killers is a 1964 film directed by Don Siegel based on a 1927 short story by Ernest Hemingway.  This film follows a 1946 version directed by Robert Siodmak and starring Burt Lancaster. This 1964 version is better than its predecessor for a number of reasons but before I get into these reasons, I will endeavor to give those who haven't seen the film a quick summary.

Hitmen Charlie and Lee (played by Lee Marvin and Clu Gulager) appear at a school for the blind to execute a hit on an instructor named Johnny North (John Cassavetes) on behalf of mobster Jack Browning (played by Ronald Reagan). Johnny makes no plea to have his life spared. But the fact that Johnny didn't seem surprised nor afraid to die doesn't sit right with Charlie who believes that there's more to the hit than Jack Browning told them and from this point, Charlie and Lee track down everyone directly and indirectly involved with Johnny, each person providing--through flashbacks--a piece of the puzzle as to what would make Johnny give up his life without a fight. 

Director Don Seigel takes a lean no-nonsense approach in this version as we see 2 hitmen who have distinct personalities, both deadly in his own way. First, there's Charlie. Lee Marvin plays the older speak-softly-carry-a-big-stick hitman, the kind who won't ask you the same question twice. His much younger partner Lee (played very effectively by Clu Gulager) plays the barely-under-control, health-conscious psycho who seems to enjoy his work and who’s as scary as Tommy, played by Joe Pesci in the 1990 film Goodfellas. 

Then there are the film's other stars. John Cassavetes performance as race car/getaway driver Johnny North who falls in love with the wrong woman (played by Angie Dickinson) is typical 'guy-gets-screwed-by-beautiful-dame' film noir. The flashback involving their relationship could have been a stand-alone movie in itself. Claude Akins is also great as Johnny's mechanic Earl Sylvester playing the best friend who gets ditched for the girl. But probably the best role in the film is Jack Browning played by a very pimp-like Ronald Reagan. Politics aside, he is good in this film and perfectly cast as “The Man” who uses the dame to manipulate the sap into helping them knock off a bank truck. 

This is a great heist film and a great showcase for all actors involved. The disc comes with an audio interview (reenactment) with Don Siegel who explains the process of how he acquired the material to make the film and many other anecdotes that are as entertaining as watching the film itself. I have the Criterion version and it looks and sounds great. If you've seen the old version of this film but haven't seen this version yet, you should do so to judge them for yourself.