21 Films Noir

I’ve limited myself to one citation per filmmaker, so it was sometimes a difficult choice, for example, between Mr Arkadin and the Lady from Shanghai or between the Reckless Moment and Caught. Since this list is intended to elucidate those qualities that I view as exemplifying Films Noir and distinguishing it from other forms of Mysteries and Thrillers, choosing one over the other doesn’t automatically mean that I believe it is the better movie, but only that it better serves this list. I want to note House by the River, Fritz Lang’s uncanny (and sadly little known) domestic murder story. Louis Hayward (Edgar...