99 shades of Noir (with notes).
Listed in order of preference, these are all the Noir/Neo-Noir that I recommend considering watching.
The tag 'Film Noir' is a subjective one. The style was only really identified and extensively written about after the classic cycle was already over. No one making a picture then (1940-1960) thought of it as a Noir. They probably thought of these films as "second feature crime thrillers".
Let's face it, we generally categorize to simply help find or avoid certain types of art/entertainment. My point being, Noir is an invented category, so let's not get too pedantic about which films are and are not Noirs.
For further reading, I suggest Paul Schrader's wonderful essay from 1971, Notes On Film Noir.
The tag 'Film Noir' is a subjective one. The style was only really identified and extensively written about after the classic cycle was already over. No one making a picture then (1940-1960) thought of it as a Noir. They probably thought of these films as "second feature crime thrillers".
Let's face it, we generally categorize to simply help find or avoid certain types of art/entertainment. My point being, Noir is an invented category, so let's not get too pedantic about which films are and are not Noirs.
For further reading, I suggest Paul Schrader's wonderful essay from 1971, Notes On Film Noir.
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- DirectorClaude SautetStarsLino VenturaSandra MiloJean-Paul BelmondoA ruthless criminal flees from the pursuit, involving more and more casualties.The same writer as the great Le Deuxieme Souffle. The first film Claude Sautet directed from start to finish is a knockout. His 'first' film "Bonjour Sourire!" being the taking over another director's ailing project.
This is one of the best Noirs of all time. Make it a top priority. - DirectorJean-Pierre MelvilleStarsLino VenturaPaul MeurisseRaymond PellegrinA gangster escapes jail and quickly makes plans to continue his criminal ways elsewhere, but a determined inspector is closing in.Much better than it's reputation as a slightly second tier Melville film, this is one of the all time great crime films. If you love Melville, this is a must see. It's (neo)noir heaven.
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsHarrison FordRutger HauerSean YoungA blade runner must pursue and terminate four replicants who stole a ship in space and have returned to Earth to find their creator.Of course this features high on the list. If you've never seen it, make it a priority (and I'd certainly recommend watching this before taking on Blade Runner 2049, which is avery good sequel).
This is one of the absolute best neo-noirs. The set-decoration, design, and special effects are notable, as is the gorgeous Vangelis score. Just what is it to be human?
These days, I like the original theatrical cut with the very noir narration by Harrison Ford better than the director's cut, even though the ending is a bit more commercial. - DirectorJean-Pierre MelvilleStarsLino VenturaPaul MeurisseJean-Pierre CasselAn account of underground resistance fighters in Nazi-occupied France.Probably the best Melville of all for it's pithy subject. The deminonde of the French Resistance is the subject, and it is fascinating, and grim.
This is a good film to see if J.P. Melville's stylish, but spare film making is up your alley. - DirectorJacques TourneurStarsRobert MitchumJane GreerKirk DouglasA private eye escapes his past to run a gas station in a small town, but his past catches up with him. Now he must return to the big city world of danger, corruption, double crosses, and duplicitous dames.Certainly a contender for best noir of all time. A must see title if there ever was one.
Robert Mitchum in the lead is magnetic, but very relatable. Jane Greer is simply one of the most alluring, and mendacious femme fatale's ever.
I could go on and on. It has everything that make the noir genre so enjoyable. - DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsJohn TravoltaUma ThurmanSamuel L. JacksonThe lives of two mob hitmen, a boxer, a gangster and his wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption.It's a hard film to classify, but it certainly has a lot of Noir in it. It's more an experience than just a film. When watching this for the first time, you just don't now where Q.T. will take you next. I just watched this again, probably for the 8th time, and it knocked me out yet again.
It has enough content for two great films. The dialogue is marvelous, and so is the music selection. The non-chronological structure also works beautifully for this film.
This is one of two great Tarantino films (Reservoir Dogs being the other). For me, his subsequent films have not measured up to his first two pictures. - DirectorCarol ReedStarsOrson WellesJoseph CottenAlida ValliPulp novelist Holly Martins travels to shadowy, postwar Vienna, only to find himself investigating the mysterious death of an old friend, Harry Lime.The sewers of post war Vienna, and a zither score that you'll never forget. Welles is fabulous.
- DirectorOrson WellesStarsRita HayworthOrson WellesEverett SloaneFascinated by gorgeous Mrs. Bannister, seaman Michael O'Hara joins a bizarre yachting cruise, and ends up mired in a complex murder plot.For me, this film is quite a bit better than Wells' 'Touch of Evil'. See it for the house of mirrors scene alone. It is certainly one of the best of all film Noirs. This picture is packed with wonderfully sleazy characters, and deceit is everywhere.
- DirectorJean-Luc GodardStarsJean-Paul BelmondoAnna KarinaGraziella GalvaniPierrot escapes his boring society and travels from Paris to the Mediterranean Sea with Marianne, a girl chased by hit-men from Algeria. They lead an unorthodox life, always on the run.For art-house fans only.
Super original, and super fun, this noir colors WAY outside the lines. It is an example of how malleable the noir framework really is. There is a core entertainment to watching a couple on a doomed crime spree.
IMHO, this is the best J.L.Godard film. - DirectorRoman PolanskiStarsJack NicholsonFaye DunawayJohn HustonA private detective hired to expose an adulterer in 1930s Los Angeles finds himself caught up in a web of deceit, corruption, and murder.A perfect neo-noir with a very powerful gut-punch of an ending added by Polanski to Robert Towne's script.
It could only be more Noir if it was shot in B&W. An essential film. One of Jack Nicholson's best roles as well (which is saying a lot!). - DirectorJean-Pierre MelvilleStarsJean-Paul BelmondoSerge ReggianiJean DesaillyA burglar betraying other criminals prepares for a big heist with a trusted friend who might be as untrustworthy as he.Another great J.P. Melville film. A very grimy Paris, and a twisty story add up to another must see Melville film. I watched it again a day after seeing it for the first time.
- DirectorJean-Pierre MelvilleStarsAlain DelonFrançois PérierNathalie DelonAfter professional hitman Jef Costello is seen by witnesses his efforts to provide himself an alibi drive him further into a corner.This is one of the 'coolest' films ever, and Alain Delon is the handsomest film star to grace the screen.
Not for those who don't like to be left with a little mystery at the end of a film, as Melville almost always liked to do.
I can see an influence of 'This Gun For Hire' in this picture, but Melville does it oh so much better. - DirectorHenri-Georges ClouzotStarsPierre FresnayGinette LeclercMicheline FranceyA French village doctor becomes the target of poison-pen letters sent to village leaders, accusing him of affairs and practicing abortion.Better than 'Les Diaboliques' and 'Wages of Fear' in my opinion. It's a truly great noir thriller, in fact, it's simply one of the very best films period. I've had the pleasure of watching it three times, and it killed every time.
- DirectorBilly WilderStarsKirk DouglasJan SterlingRobert ArthurA frustrated former big-city journalist now stuck working for an Albuquerque newspaper exploits a story about a man trapped in a cave to rekindle his career, but the situation quickly escalates into an out-of-control circus.Billy Wilder's follow-up to Sunset Boulevard (also excellent) is a terrific film. Kirk Douglas has been great in so many films. This is up there with his best.
Cynicism , oportunism, and capitalism are the themes of this terrific, dark picture. It is my favorite Billy Wilder film, and is sadly underknown. - DirectorEthan CoenJoel CoenStarsTommy Lee JonesJavier BardemJosh BrolinViolence and mayhem ensue after a hunter stumbles upon the aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong and over two million dollars in cash near the Rio Grande.Probably the best Coen brothers film. Excellent, excellent picture!
- DirectorDavid LynchStarsNaomi WattsLaura HarringJustin TherouxAfter a car wreck on Mulholland Drive renders a woman amnesiac, she and a Hollywood-hopeful search for clues and answers across Los Angeles in a twisting venture beyond dreams and reality.A terrific dark, disturbing, (solvable) puzzle. Naomi Watts is fantastic.
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsCary GrantIngrid BergmanClaude RainsThe daughter of a convicted German spy is asked by American agents to gather information on a ring of German scientists in South America. How far will she have to go to ingratiate herself with them?One of Hitch's best films. A must see.
- DirectorDavid FincherStarsMorgan FreemanBrad PittKevin SpaceyTwo detectives, a rookie and a veteran, hunt a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his motives.Simply one of my all time favorites. I remember several people saying they were rather disturbed after seeing this picture. Yes, it is dark stuff, but I just adore it. The opening credits are terrifically stylish.
- DirectorJacques BeckerStarsSimone SignoretSerge ReggianiClaude DauphinThree gangsters and an ex-con carpenter all fall for the same beautiful golden-haired woman in Belle Époque France.A belle epoque noir love story. Excellent in every way. Jacques Becker, who apprenticed as AD under Jean Renoir, was a fantastic director: Le Trou, Touchez Pas Au Grisbi and this film are all gold.
- DirectorFred ZinnemannStarsVan HeflinRobert RyanJanet LeighAn embittered, vengeful POW stalks his former commanding officer who betrayed his men's planned escape attempt from a Nazi prison camp.This one's got just about everything, including social relevance, yet very few people champion this film. Do yourself a huge favor and see it.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroJodie FosterCybill ShepherdA mentally unstable veteran works as a nighttime taxi driver in New York City, where the perceived decadence and sleaze fuels his urge for violent action.There's got to be the odd person who's not gotten around to this picture. Only one of the best films ever committed to celluloid. A little caveat though: It's definitely got some very adult content.
- DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsTerence StampPeter FondaLesley Ann WarrenAn extremely volatile and dangerous Englishman goes to Los Angeles to find the man he considers responsible for his daughter's death.Wonderful film. Steven Soderbergh's revenge film is on the art-house side of Noir, and is clearly inspired by the style of the film 'Point Blank' replete with flash-backs, and flash-forwards. I love Terrence Stamp in this, but it's got many great performances.
- DirectorJean-Pierre MelvilleStarsAlain DelonBourvilGian Maria VolontèAfter leaving prison, master thief Corey crosses paths with a notorious escapee and an alcoholic former policeman. The trio proceed to plot an elaborate heist.Beautiful tones of color, great set decoration (as per usual with Melville) and the theme of comradery between thieves. One of the all time great heists as well. I do find that people either love or hate Mellville's films. They're certainly more quiet/minimal than most plot driven films.
As you see by my list, Melville is one of my very favorite directors. - DirectorJoseph H. LewisStarsCornel WildeRichard ConteJean WallaceA police lieutenant is ordered to stop investigating deadly crime boss Mr. Brown because he hasn't been able to get any hard evidence against him. He goes after Brown's girlfriend, who despises him, for information instead.Hard-boiled heaven.
- DirectorRobert SiodmakStarsBurt LancasterAva GardnerEdmond O'BrienHit men kill an unresisting victim, and investigator Reardon uncovers his past involvement with beautiful, deadly Kitty Collins.This may be a good film to use as an example of what a Noir is to those who don't know the term. It's one of the best.