Double Indemnity
(1944)9
| Country | |
| Runtime | 1 hr 47 min |
| Budget | $927 262 |
| Premiere: World | $21 900 April 24, 1944 |
| Box Office – Budget | – $905 362 |
| Premiere: USA | June 14, 1944 |
| Digital: World | August 31, 2010 |
| Production Companies | |
| Also Known As | Pacto de sangre United States |
Description
An insurance representative is seduced by a dissatisfied housewife into a scheme of insurance fraud and murder that arouses the suspicion of his colleague, a claims investigator.
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About the Book
Double Indemnity is a novella written by James M. Cain, first published in 1936 as an eight-part serial in Liberty magazine. The story is a classic example of the hardboiled crime fiction genre, characterized by its gritty realism and morally ambiguous characters.Author: James M. Cain
James M. Cain was an American author and journalist, known for his contributions to the crime fiction genre. His works often explore themes of passion, betrayal, and the darker sides of human nature. Cain's writing style is noted for its sharp dialogue and fast-paced narrative.Adaptation and Faithfulness to the Book
The 1944 film adaptation of Double Indemnity is largely faithful to Cain's original novella, capturing the essence of the plot and the complex relationship between the main characters. The screenplay was co-written by Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler, who managed to retain the dark and suspenseful tone of the book while making some changes to fit the cinematic format.Key Elements Retained in the Film
- The central plot involving an insurance salesman and a femme fatale conspiring to commit murder for insurance money.
- The exploration of themes such as greed, betrayal, and moral corruption.
- The use of a first-person narrative style, which is a hallmark of Cain's writing.
Overall, the film adaptation of Double Indemnity is considered a successful and faithful representation of James M. Cain's novella, maintaining the tension and intrigue that make the story a classic in the crime fiction genre.
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Friends comments and ratings
Hypermeganoir! I watched it and about a dozen later and contemporary films popped into my head – the influence is difficult to overestimate. And this cult status is well deserved: the film is impeccably staged, perfectly shot and acted. Wilder, it seems, has been at the top of his game his entire career.
Noir Level 80: A Fallen Man Seduced by a Femme Fatale and His Confession
I wanted to see this film for many years, plus I saw high ratings from my friends. But expectations were not met… The film is good, but the first part is average, even cringe. Then it became more exciting and with suspense, but the impression was already spoiled…
A fatal beauty turns the head of an insurance agent… A timeless noir classic from Billy Wilder.
Classic noir with its inherent attributes. In addition to the tension, excellent dialogue and gloomy atmosphere of fatalism, the script and attention to detail in it are captivating. Edward. J. Robinson with his "little man" is like icing on the cake.
A femme fatale, a shabby protagonist (always wearing a hat!), rain, cigarettes, blues, twilight, treachery, crime, cutting lines full of disappointment and bitterness – in a word, noir. And that’s perfect if you, like me, love the genre!
The epitome of noir, from aesthetics to plot. All this will be repeated later in dozens of films, but the advantage of "Double Indemnity" is that it still rivets you to the screen, surprises and keeps you in suspense until the very end.
I liked the noir for its classics, everything is as it should be. The beginning is also good and the end in principle. They worked on the smallest detail and the plot is logical.
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