Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

The Killers Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov March 12, 2014

Don Siegel's "The Killers" (1964) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Arrow Video. The supplemental features on the disc include an archival video interview with the American director; new video interview with best-selling author Mark Eliot; new video interview with writer Dwayne Epstein; and a collection of rare stills from the film, posters, and lobby cards. The release also arrives with a booklet featuring new writing on the film by Mike Sutton, extracts from Don Siegel’s autobiography and contemporary reviews, illustrated with original lobby cards. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

The Driver

Professional killers Charlie (Lee Marvin, Point Blank, Death Hunt) and Lee (Clu Gulager, The Last Picture Show) quickly eliminate their latest target, Jonny North (John Cassavetes, Machine Gun McCain), but decide to find out why he did not try to run away from them. The killers then meet Earl Sylvester (Claude Akins, Ride Beyond Vengeance), Johnny’s former associate, who reveals to them that their target was a top driver. Earl also tells the killers that Johnny was in love with a beautiful girl (Angie Dickinson, Dressed to Kill, China Gate), who was another man’s precious possession. Johnny knew the man (Ronald Reagan) and did some business with him, but their relationship became complicated and the two eventually parted ways.

Soon after, the killers meet Johnny’s girl. Initially she refuses to talk to them, but they 'convince' her to tell them what they need to know. Then the killers visit the office of Johnny’s ex-partner, who confirms their suspicions that business was not why they went in different directions.

Key events in Don Siegel’s The Killers are revealed in rather long flashbacks. Like scattered pieces of a giant puzzle, these events are then slowly arranged in a way that eventually allows the viewer to understand the characters’ motivations. During the process there are a few minor twists, but the film’s finale isn’t surprising.

What surprises in The Killers are the attitudes of the main characters. Each, including Cassavetes’ experienced driver, looks oddly comfortable while routinely challenging traditional ‘60s perceptions of 'good' and 'bad'. In other words, while the direction the story would follow becomes clear quite early the main characters’ reactions are frequently very surprising. (A great example with a number of such reactions is the first altercation between Cassavetes and Reagan with Dickinson next to them). This bold ‘disrespect’ is what makes The Killers so fascinating to behold.

The film is also quite cynical, but a good dose of light humor is carefully infused in all the right places to make it look respectable. Marvin and Gulager are particularly good in maintaining the important balance.

Loosely based on Ernest Hemingway’s story, in the United States The Killers was initially intended to be shown on TV. As a result, Siegel and cinematographer Richard L. Rawlings opted for plenty of light and a variety of bright and lush colors rather than the typical for noir films prominent shadows.

Arrow Video’s Blu-ray release presents The Killers in two different ratios: the Academy ratio of 1.37:1 and the widescreen ratio of 1.85:1. The widescreen ratio is included as an option because in Europe The Killers was also intended to be screened theatrically. (After it was determined that the film was too violent for American TV, the widescreen version was also screened theatrically in the United States).

Note: In 1946, Robert Siodmak directed the first version of The Killers with Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner. A very stylish film noir which earned four Oscar nominations, the first version of The Killers has little in common with Siegel’s film.

The Killers Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in two different aspect ratios -- 1.37:1 and 1.85:1 -- encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted 1080p transfers, Don Siegel's The Killers arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video.

The Killers is presented in two different aspect ratios because in America initially the film was intended to be shown on TV, while in Europe it was expected to be shown in cinemas. Though opinions may vary, it is indeed an indisputable fact that the framing of the film is very flexible and allows for a similar viewing experience with both aspect ratios. We have included two sets of screencaptures with this review:

1. Screencaptures # 1-14 are from the 1.37:1 version.
2. Screencaptures # 15-24 are from the 1.85:1 version.

Because of the framing, on the 1.37:1 version detail and clarity appear slightly more pleasing. Direct comparisons with close-ups from the two versions create the impression that the 1.37:1 looks slightly healthier. However, on both versions light scratches, specks, and even some extremely light vertical lines are easy to spot (see screencapture #9). Generally speaking, contrast levels remain stable. Color saturation is very pleasing. Some extremely light inherited color pulsations, however, are occasionally present (though they are not a byproduct of poor digital work). There are no traces of excessive degraining or sharpening corrections corrections. Overall image stability is good. Finally, there are no serious compression or encoding issues to report in this review. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free PS3 or SA in order to access its content).

The Killers Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 1.0. For the record, Arrow Video have provided optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature.

I've seen this film multiple times on DVD and I can say with absolute certainty that the audio has never sounded this good before. Clarity and depth are dramatically improved. John Williams' beautiful orchestral score also sounds lusher and fuller (listen to the music during and after the race where Angie Dickinson flirts with John Cassavetes). The dialog is crisp, clean, and easy to follow. There is no background hiss, audio dropouts, or distortions to report in this review.

The Killers Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Don Siegel Interview (1984) - in this archival video interview, Don Siegel discusses his style and directing methods, his experience as a second unit director as well as the reputation he earned for being an action director, his work with Clint Eastwood, etc. The director also recalls an interesting conversation he had with Jean-Luc Godard. The interview was conducted by Claude Ventura and Philippe Garnier for the French television series Cinema Cinemas. In English, with printed French subtitles. (11 min).

• Reagan Kills: An Interview with Writer Marc Eliot - in this new video interview, best-selling writer Mark Eliot (Ronald Reagan: The Hollywood Years) discusses the life, legacy and Hollywood image of Ronald Reagan, the unique qualities of The Killers, and politics/liberalism in Hollywood. In English, not subtitled. (21 min).

• Screen Killer: Dwayne Epstein on Lee Marvin - in this new video interview, writer Dwayne Epstein (Lee Marvin: Point Blank) discusses the life, legacy and character image of Lee Marvin, as well as the production history of The Killers. Used in the interview are different archival photos, posters, stills and clips from The Killers. In English, not subtitled. (31 min).

• Gallery - a gallery of rare stills from the film, posters, and German lobby cards.

• Cover work - Reversible sleeve featuring the original poster and newly commissioned artwork by Nathanael Marsh.

• Booklet - booklet featuring new writing on the film by Mike Sutton, extracts from Don Siegel's autobiography and contemporary reviews, illustrated with original lobby cards.

The Killers Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Killers is yet another competent release from British distributors Arrow Video that should make fans of the film very happy. The release also comes with some very good supplemental features, including a fascinating archival interview with Don Siegel as well as an outstanding new video interview with best-selling writer Mark Eliot. Let's hope that eventually we will also see a good Blu-ray release of director Robert Siodmak's terrific The Killers. RECOMMENDED.