The Killing (1956)

Fresh from a five-year stint in the harsh confines of prison, Johnny Clay emerges with a daring scheme etched into his mind. He has meticulously assembled a five-man team, including two insiders, for an audacious heist set to unfold within the atmospheric clamor of Lansdowne Racetrack. The prize? A staggering $2 million, to be divided amongst the team after expenses. Contrary to stereotypical felons, these men are not hardened criminals but ordinary individuals roped into the audacious plot, each driven by a compelling need for their share of the loot. Johnny dreams of a comfortable life with his childhood sweetheart, Fay, and sees this daring heist as his ticket to the stars. Marvin Unger, a loyal friend and bookkeeper, bankrolls the plan out of a deep-seated loyalty to Johnny. Crooked cop Randy Kennan is desperate to repay his mounting debt to a ruthless loan shark, while Mike O'Reilly, a bartender at the track, yearns to provide better care for his bedridden wife, Ruthie. Lastly, there's the timid George Peatty, a ticket clerk at the racetrack, who hopes the stolen fortune will reignite the love of his cold-hearted wife, Sherry. The plan is intricately crafted, requiring flawless execution and impeccable timing from the seven men involved, two of which are external hires ignorant of the bigger picture. Secrecy is the golden rule - no one, not even their loved ones, must know of their audacious gamble. However, the plan teeters on the brink of collapse when George, in an ill-advised attempt to win Sherry's affection, reveals his involvement in the plot. Unbeknownst to George, Sherry and her lover, Val Cannon, are hatching a treacherous plot of their own to snatch the entire heist's earnings. In this high-stakes game of betrayal and greed, airport regulations, a small dog, and a web of dangerous relationships further complicate the situation. Will Johnny's masterful plot withstand the mounting pressure, or will it crumble under the weight of deceit and unforeseen complications? The Killing is a thrilling ride into the world of crime, where every character is drawn into a lethal dance of ambition, loyalty, and survival.

The Killing is a crime movie featuring Sterling Hayden and directed by Stanley Kubrick.

The Killing is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy, Pluto TV and Tubi TV and it's also available on Amazon Prime Video and Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel .

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