The Killing (1956): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
The Killing is a 1956 drama thriller directed by Stanley Kubrick, starring Sterling Hayden, Elisha Cook Jr. and Marie Windsor. It runs 1 hour 24 minutes and earned $380 worldwide. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Film at the BAFTA 1957. Critics gave it 91 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 24m (84 min)
- Director
- Stanley Kubrick
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- United Artists
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Killing About?
The premise of The Killing without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A meticulous criminal, Johnny Clay, plans a complex and ambitious heist targeting the counting room of a racetrack, aiming for a $2 million score. He assembles a team, but as the plan unfolds, the risks escalate, jeopardizing not only the robbery but also Johnny's dream of escaping his criminal past and building a peaceful life with Fay.
The Killing Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- heist gone wrong
- femme fatale
- one last job
- horse racing
- patrolman
- bar
- shot to death
- flat tire
- wife betrays husband
- two word title
- cult film
- postmodern
+38 more Show fewer
- husband murders his wife
- inside job
- henpecked husband
- criminal as protagonist
- caught eavesdropping
- heist crime
- double cross
- hired gun
- money counter
- planning a heist
- chess club
- barroom brawl
- pretending to be a parapalegic
- lucky horseshoe
- parking attendant
- parking lot
- gift wrapped box
- bus station locker
- hidden gun
- apartment mailbox
- fireman's carry
- shirt ripped off
- hairy chested male
- one against many
- breaking a bottle over someone's head
- held at gunpoint
- armed robbery
- masked robber
- bag of money
- racetrack announcer
- radio news report
- suitcase busting open
- wrong door
- american airlines
- swerving to avoid an animal
- arrested at airport
- shot while trying to escape
- sabotaged race
The Killing Cast
Sterling Hayden leads the cast, with Elisha Cook Jr. and Marie Windsor. Directed by Stanley Kubrick; 10 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Stanley Kubrick
Also Starring in The Killing
· 6 moreMore from Stanley Kubrick
More films directed by Stanley Kubrick, best-rated first: Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, Paths of Glory, Barry Lyndon and Spartacus.
The Killing Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Killing 91 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 91 Metascore
User score 7.6
See on Metacritic
The Killing Plot Summary
What happens in The Killing from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Johnny Clay, portrayed by Sterling Hayden, is a man with a plan, determined to execute a sophisticated heist to steal $2 million from a racetrack. Recently released from prison, Johnny teams up with a diverse group of accomplices, each with their own desperate motivations. Among them is the race track cashier, George Peatty, played by Elisha Cook Jr., who is struggling to manage his controlling and self-absorbed wife, Sherry, brought to life by Marie Windsor. Ongoing complications arise, as Sherry is entangled in an affair with mobster Val Cannon, a role taken on by Vince Edwards, who is secretly plotting to take George out of the picture so he can abscond with Sherry—and her husband’s money.
Full summary
The whole story of The Killing, scene by scene
The Killing Box Office
The Killing grossed $380 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$380
- International
- $203
The Killing Awards & Nominations
The Killing earned 1 award nomination, including Best Film at the BAFTA 1957.
1 nomination1 ceremony
-
BAFTA 1957 1 nomination- Nominated Best Film
The Killing Trailers & Videos
5 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser and 3 clips.
- Teaser
- Clip Planning The Heist
- Clip Bar Fight Scene
- Clip Racetrack Robbery Scene
How Well Do You Know The Killing?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the primary goal of Johnny Clay in 'The Killing'?
Cars in The Killing
28 cars on screen, including the 1952 Chevrolet Styleline De Luxe Station Wagon and the 1950 MG TD.
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1952 Chevrolet Styleline De Luxe Station Wagon Main role -
1950 MG TD Main role -
1955 Ford Mainline Important role -
1940 Ford V8 De Luxe Important role
The Killing Also Known As
31 alternative titles, including “Mislukte opzet” and “Det store gangsterkup”.
- Also known as
-
- Mislukte opzet
- Det store gangsterkup
- Το χρήμα της οργής
- Ha-Hereg
- Casta de malditos
- O Grande Golpe
- L'ultime razzia
- 킬링
- Tappo
- Atraco perfecto
- แผนโฉดโคตรคนชั่ว
- Սպանությունը
+19 more Show fewer
- Die Rechnung ging nicht auf
- Rapina a mano armata
- Убийство
- 杀手
- Um Roubo no Hipódromo
- Son Darbe
- Gyilkosság
- Spelet är förlorat
- ההרג
- Убивство
- Lovitura
- Zabójstwo
- 現金に体を張れ
- 殺手
- Убийството
- Žmogžudystė
- Peli on menetetty
- 殺戮
- Atracament perfecte
Seen The Killing?
Movies Like The Killing
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Killing Game, The Killers and Killing Them Softly.
The Killing FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Killing, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Killing?
The Killing runs 1 hour 24 minutes (84 minutes).
When was The Killing released?
The Killing was released on June 6, 1956.
Who directed The Killing?
The Killing was directed by Stanley Kubrick.
More films by Stanley Kubrick Who is in the cast of The Killing?
The Killing stars Sterling Hayden, Elisha Cook Jr. and Marie Windsor, among 10 credited actors.
How much did The Killing make at the box office?
The Killing grossed $380 worldwide.
How is The Killing rated?
The Killing has 91 on Metacritic.
Was The Killing nominated for any awards?
The Killing received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.
Does The Killing have a post-credit scene?
No. The Killing has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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