As a huge Robert Siodmak fan, I just wanted to pass along the news that Arrow Films in the UK are releasing The Killers on Blu-ray on November 17. It’s up for pre-order on their website here.
For me, it’s an awful close run thing trying to decide whether The Killers or Criss Cross represents Siodmak’s best work. Either way, it’s a terrific and very welcome bit of news.
Riding the High Country 
You know, Colin, I’ve never been a ‘noir’ sort of chap, but these little nudges are actually improving their lot considerably. I saw The Killers last year (NOT in HD), and Lancaster really did amazing work there. In these times when sources like Criterion are deleting their entire Merchant/Ivory catalogue (including my beloved “The Deceivers”, blast it all), it’s good to see great fillums getting the royal treatment.
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Noir doesn’t grab everybody the same way, Clayton. This film has a lot in its favor though – a stunning debut by Lancaster, prime era Gardner, and Siodmak at the to pof his game.
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I don’t mind that artwork to be honest, but they are sure to feature those stunning leads one way or another. Close for me too- I might prefer Criss Cross by a hair.
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Arrow usually offer reversible covers on these titles so there should be another option available too. Also, I expect more extras will be announced. Generally, the company has been doing sterling work on its releases.
And I’ve pretty much reached the conclusion that I like both movies and feel they sit well side by side.
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That artwork was always strictly temporary – in fact, I insisted on Arrow adding ARTWORK TBC because I knew at the time that we wouldn’t be going with that one. But because I hadn’t then seen Jay Shaw’s original Arrow-commissioned design, I didn’t know which of the many original 1946 posters we’d be featuring on the back.
(‘The Killers’ had multiple “original posters” thanks to a mid-release attempt at attracting more women to the film by stressing the romantic elements – which, corny and manipulative as this sounds, actually worked!)
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Thanks for mentioning this, Michael. The actual packaging is this:
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Great news, thanks Colin – they seem to have some cracking stuff coming out!
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This will make for a very nice companion piece to the rather wonderful Blu-ray of Siegel’s version already released.
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Which i don;t have yet (I have the Criterion double DVD to keep me warm at nights) but I really will have to get these. Not quite as stunning a cover as the one Carlotta has with la Gardner though …
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You know Arrow have a sale on until Sunday on their site, don’t you. The Siegel version is available for £7.99 as a result.
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Blimey! I might have to have a look (and I was trying to be such a good boy) – but the way, you really will be getting a copy of NAKED CITY when it’s out so hold off on that (unless you want two copies) 🙂
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It’s a great disc – I’m almost tempted to buy it again!
Really not necessary on the Dassin movie, but I’ll not refuse it either.
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Definitely necessary chum – you’ll see when you get it!
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Looking forward to it!
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I’m sure there will be a lot more in the form of extras so look forward to finding out what is going to be included. As for which is Siodmak’s best, CRISS CROSS is probably better overall as KILLERS never quite lives up to its extraordinary opening. I love SPIRAL STAIRCASE though
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Fair point. To be honest, I’m very fond of all Siodmak’s noir pictures, not really a bad one among them.
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I agree, wonderful films of the 40s (OK, I don’t feel the urge to re-watch CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY that often) – in fact, just re-watched PHANTOM LADY (review up on Tuesday) and again, the first half is really wonderful, a really atmospheric and faithful adaptation of the novel – and then they reveal who the murderer is (unlike the book, which is a whodunit right to the climax) and it loses a lot of momentum for me …
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Looking forward to that – I’ll hold off on the comments on that one until Tuesday then.
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We are not exactly miles apart … but I do look at the book as well (of course …)
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Which I still haven’t read! Plus ça change…
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if you like Woolrich at all, then you kinda have ta, really …
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Oh I will – I just keep postponing it for one reason or another.
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Thanks for the news, Colin. I read the short story, “The Killers,” last December and have been looking around for the two film versions including the one you mentioned.
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Hi, Prashant. Both versions are worth seeing. The Siodmak movie is most faithful to the short story right at the beginning but the Siegel film has lots to recommend it too.
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I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bad film with Burt in it?
Not counting his very early stuff.
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Bearing in mind Lancaster made his debut in The Killers, and then followed that up with Brute Force and Desert Fury, I think it’s safe to say he hit the ground running.
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Thanks for the info on these releases. It looks like I am going to have to buy an all-region BD player, as many of these noirs are coming out in Europe but not here.
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Mind you, it works the other way too, with a number of quality movies locked to Region A.
Do Criterion still have the rights to this? If so, I daresay the US will see a Blu-ray at some point.
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Good point, too true. I hope Criterion does, they have been good about rereleasing older films on BD. When I checked Amazon UK for the two Killers, I was hoping they would be region-free, as I do have DePalma’s Obsession in region-free BD from Arrow, but no.
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Amazon aren’t always all that clear when it comes to Region coding though. I can’t check my own copy – I’m locked to Region B myself so all I know is it plays for me.
The Beaver’s review of the Siegel version here does say it’s Region B only. I would guess it’s probably a condition of the licensing agreement.
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I agree with all the comments above re Siodmak’s great films. Not much between those 2 great ones – “THE KILLERS and “CRISS CROSS” – for me. Love ’em both. I would like to also mention “CRY OF THE CITY” which I really like and which I think shows what a fine, natural actor Victor Mature could be in the right part.
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I like Cry of the City as well, Jerry – I featured it ages ago here. Overall, I reckon Conte had the plum role in that movie, but Mature gives a good clinical performance.
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Will have to purchase it, I’m sure it will look phenomenal on blu-ray.
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I’ve been very pleased with what I’ve seen of Arrow releases so far and I fully expect this one to be up to that high standard.
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Still recall the first time I caught this one. It floored me. The opening with Willian Conrad and Charles McGraw is one of the best bits in any film noir.
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And of course that opening section benefits, from a scripting perspective, of following Hemingway’s short story very closely.
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