Double Indemnity (1944)

This film is part of our monthly Classic Film Series. Tickets are just £6.

Declared “the greatest movie ever made” by Woody Allen, and the number 6 “best crime film of all time” by The Guardian, there is no doubt that Double Indemnity is the dazzling, quintessential film noir whose enormous success, and seven Oscar nominations, catapulted Billy Wilder (Some Like It Hot, The Apartment) into the very top tier of Hollywood’s writer-directors.

Adapted from James M. Cain’s novel of the same name, Fred MacMurray is insurance salesman Walter Neff who gets roped into a murderous scheme when he falls for the sensual Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck). Phyllis is intent on killing her husband (Tom Powers) and living off the fraudulent accidental death claim.

But claims-adjuster Barton Keyes (Edward G. Robinson) smells a rat – or at least cheap perfume…

“Film noir at its finest”

Empire ★★★★★

“Thrilling”

The Telegraph ★★★★★