Table of Contents

1. The problem of the crime film; 2. Historical and cultural overview; 3. Critical overview; 4. Fury and the victim film; 5. The Godfather and the gangster film; 6. Double Indemnity and the film noir; 7. Basic Instinct and the erotic thriller; 8. Murder on the Orient Express, Blue Velvet, and the unofficial detective film; 9. Chinatown and the hardboiled detective film; 10. Bullitt and the police film; 11. Reversal of Fortune and the lawyer film; 12. Fargo and the crime comedy; 13. What good are crime films?

Promotional Information

Leitch traces crime film throughout the century, reflecting a growing ambivalence towards crime and criminals.

Reviews

"Leitch makes his case, and provides a structure through which any crime film--and, really, any film with a criminal, victim, and avenger--can be studied. Such a structure is never more valuable than now." Erik Lundegaard, Film Quarterly "No film critic writes more clearly, in a style unencumbered by jargon. Even the photo captions are unusually perceptive and amusing. Highly recommended." Choice