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If you were only able to view a single example of film noir, this would be the first choice. An interesting dark story about the "perfect" crime. You'll see many of these story-telling techniques used in other films, but if you're a film buff, you'll know that this movie is where these techniques came from. Fred MacMurray appears here in a very different sort of character than the ones he is usually known for. Edward G. Robinson, in an unusual move, appears here in a supporting role, with his usual stellar performance, and Barbara Stanwyck was justifiably nominated for an Academy Award for her performance here. This particular item includes a made-for-TV remake of this movie; it's mediocrity shows how good the original film is.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The 1973 version starring Richard Crenna is the one I was most interested in, and I think it's excellent (it's on the second disc). More up to date, more timely, taking place in the modern world. I also get a kick out of seeing the decade I grew up in, the style and culture of the time. How things have changed since the '70s, but also how similar so many things are... Everyone is supposed to say that the remake of an old classic doesn't measure up, but I am not part of that herd. Isn't the 1976 remake of King Kong a great movie, of course it is, as are many other remakes. You should enjoy BOTH versions of this movie.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
This 2-disc set includes a color remake starring Richard Crenna that uses the exact same script. Watching both versions makes you appreciate the film noir genre as an art form. Everything about the original version, from the black and white film to the overly dramatic dialogue laced with double-entendres, seems to fit. Fred McMurray and Barbara Stanwyk make you believe this murder scenario is possible. But the remake has the feel of a nightmare dragged into the bright light of day, when you realize people don't actually talk like this and no one would mistake a strangled man lying on the railroad tracks for one who died from falling off a train. The original is a must-see for fans of classic noir and Alfred Hitchcock, and an eye-opener for those who only know McMurray as the kindly father of MY THREE SONS.Read full review
PLOT: SEXY BAD WIFE STANWYCK WANTS TO TAKE "ACCIDENT" INSURANCE ON HER HUSBAND AND THEN KILL HIM TO COLLECT~ FUN~! MCACMURRAY SHOWS UP TO PICK UP A PAYMENT FOR AN INSURANCE POLICY AND IS DRAWN TO SEXY VAMP STANWYCK~ ~STANWYCK DRAWS MACMURRAY INTO HER PLOT~HE IS SOON CALLING HER "BABY" AND BECOMES HER PARTNER TO KILL THE HUSBAND ~ MACMURRY USES his expertise on how the bait the husband, sign the policy and then comes the careful and brilliant plant for the "accident" involving a fall off a train ~ along the way MacMurray ESTABISHES A FLAWLESS ALABI~ AND CRIME~ SOON WIDOW STANWYCK SHOWS UP FOR THE DOUBLE INDEMNITY MONEY SINCE IT WAS AN "ACCIDENT"~ NOW THE FUN BEGINS WHEN Edward G. Robinson as the HEAD investigator for the insurance company begins to suspect the wife did the deed he just has to prove it~the CAT and MOUSE game MacMurray and Stanwyck play with Robinson is 100% fun~ but some crimes do not pay~ MacMurray is finding "BABY " (Stanwyck) is using him and he decides to make HER pay for THEIR crime~ GREAT PLOT~ FANSTATIC TIMING AND ACTING~ this crime has a nifty little PLOT TWIST AT THE END~ NOIR AT IT'S BEST~ I GIVE IT A SOLID 10 OUT OF 10~ ALSO SEE PUSHOVER IF YOU LIKE THIS ONE~ IF YOU FOUND THIS REVIEW HELPFUL PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE~Read full review
Fred MacMurray as a lustful insurance agent and Barbara Stanwyck as a conniving, sexy wife--this is Double Indemnity. The insurance fraud is planned by the two in a scheme where Phyllis Dietrichson (Stanwyck) is to deliver her crippled dead husband to the train tracks where Walter Neff (MacMurray) on crutches has just jumped from the train and thus leave the impression that Mr. Dietrichson had "fallen" from the train. This would never work in 2007, but in 1944 moviegoers were convinced of its validity. But the crime is not perfect even in 1944. Edward G. Robinson as Barton Keyes as well as his supervisor are hot on the trail of any suspected insurance criminals. Shortly thereafter Keyes theorizes that someone must have helped Mrs. Dietrichson with the caper. He just doesn't figure that it is his own friend/co-worker. How all of this unravels is the plot of the film noir. There are some real surprises along the way, but I am not going to give any more away. Billy Wilder directed this movie, and he is the epitome of directors in this era. But there are some movie goofs here. Fred MacMurray is single in the movie as Walter Neff but wears a wedding ring throughout. Also it is surprising to see Barbara Stanwyck in a blonde wig. Wilder finally figured it out too but it was too late in the production for her to go back to her real hair, which was brunette. The movie was a big hit in 1944 and garnered 7 Academy Award nominations including Best Actress for Stanwyck. It really helped her career although she was afraid that it might hurt it. A good comparison movie is "Body Heat," and I guess that it is unfair to compare a 1980s movie to one made in 1944. However, I really think that Body Heat is far superior.Read full review
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