Born to Kill. 1947. Directed by Robert Wise

Film

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Born to Kill. 1947. USA. Directed by Robert Wise. Courtesy RKO Radio Pictures/Photofest

Born to Kill. 1947. USA. Directed by Robert Wise. Screenplay by Eve Greene, Richard Macaulay. With Claire Trevor, Lawrence Tierney, Walter Slezak. 35mm. 92 min.

In this uniquely depraved noir, the ruthless Sam Wilde (Lawrence Tierney) meets his match in calculating divorcee Helen Brent (Claire Trevor) as he flees Reno on a train to San Francisco. “I chose this film because it feels raw, savage, and violent. Wise uses Trevor and Tierney as dual predators capable of devouring their prey—or each other. Violence is latent every second they are on screen. This and The Devil Thumbs a Ride are, in my opinion, perfect pulp audiovisual prose” (Guillermo del Toro).

This film accompanies Carte Blanche: Guillermo del Toro.

Past events

Fri, Mar 24, 2023, 6:30 p.m.

MoMA, Floor T2/T1, Theater 2

The Roy and Niuta Titus Theater 2
Sat, Mar 18, 2023, 4:00 p.m.

MoMA, Floor T2/T1, Theater 2

The Roy and Niuta Titus Theater 2

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