AFI 100 Years 100 Movies: No. 49


Back in 1998, the American Film Institute unveiled its list of the 100 greatest films as voted on by members of the cinematic community. The year, I'm looking at the films on that list, re-ranked according to my preference. Check back Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year as we walk through this list of classic films.

Walter Neff: Yes, I killed him. I killed him for money - and a woman - and I didn't get the money and I didn't get the woman. Pretty, isn't it?

Double Indemnity (1944)
Original List Position: 38
Starring: Fred MacMurry, Barbra Stanwyck, and Edward G. Robinson
Director: Billy Wilder
About: Everyone loves a good noir. On the original list, the film appears higher at No. 38. It jumped up to No. 29 a decade later. That's a bit higher than where I have it. I enjoy a good noir, and I enjoyed this story. Wilder was a talented director who helmed a number of classic films, including a few on this list. This is an interesting story that in different hands (like Alfred Hitchcock) might have even felt a bit darker. It's got an iconic story and an iconic set of twists and turns. I enjoy the performances and the production. It's a great product of its era and the genre.

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