Double Indemnity (1944) Dir

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Name___________________________ Double Indemnity (1944) Dir. Billy Wilder Based on the novella Three of a Kind by James M. Cain “The streets were dark with something more than night.” --Raymond Chandler, The Art of Murder Opening Sequences 1. The opening sequences firmly establish Walter Neff as the person from whose point of view we are going to hear the story. How does the filmmaker do this? 2. Why does the camera look down on Walter Neff’s car as it speeds through the night city nearly out of control? (Why has the filmmaker chosen this to open the sequence?) 3. When do we get to see Walter’s face up close? Why has the filmmaker taken so long to give us this close-up? (Consider what he’s doing at his point.) 5. Why is Walter sweaty and short-of-breath? 4. What specific contrasts can you identify between the scene in Walter’s office and the scene at Phyllis Dietrichson’s home? What does meaning do these contrasts have? 5. How does the filmmaker introduce us to Phyllis? Describe her appearance and explain how the camera draws attention to her. 6. Examine carefully all the objects you see in Phyllis’ house when she first meets Walter Neff and then see how often they recur throughout the film and when. *When do they recur? *What might be the significance of these items? 7. Why does the camera follow her legs through the stairs instead of directly on them? (What does it suggest? Listen to Walter’s narration during the shot.) 8. Describe how the camera builds up our expectation that she will have power over Walter. 9. Look at the way the light is filtered in the house. Which sources of fractured light can you identify? 10. What editing, camera work, and/or visual effects are used to reveal the flashbacks? 11. What’s the meaning or significance of the cryptic conversation Walter and Phyllis have about the speed limit? 11. What specific details of the mise-en-scène accentuate the anxiety, paranoia, and disillusionment characteristic of Film Noir? (LIST AT LEAST FIVE) 12. What words or phrases does Walter use that characterize the hard-boiled (cynical), witty character types typical of Noir? 13. What are three moods that the filmmaker evokes? 14. How does the filmmaker evoke each of them? 15. In what scenes does the filmmaker use distinct high and low angles? (LIST AT LEAST THREE) 16. List THREE incidents (either events or dialogue) that foreshadow later events. 17. What tactics does Phyllis use to entrap Walter into her scheme? (LIST AT LEAST THREE) 18. How is the acting different than in contemporary films? 19. What is a “double indemnity”? 20. What twists are thrown into the story? 21. What is the theme? 22. What is your overall opinion of this movie? Did you like it? Why/why not?.

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DOUBLE INDEMNITY Billy Wilder, 1944
Name: _______________________________________ Date: ______________ Period: _______ Film Study 1 – Ms. Jones DOUBLE INDEMNITY Billy Wilder, 1944 Based on the novel by James M. Cain, Double Indemnity recounts the tale of Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray), an insurance salesman who becomes involved with the beautiful wife of a client. Together Neff and Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck) concoct an insurance scam that will get rid of Mr. Dietrichson and allow the two lovers to run off with the proceeds from an insurance policy. Unfortunately, things don’t work out, and in one of the film’s final sequences Walter and Phyllis are left in a standoff with each other, waiting to see who will blink first. Questions 1. Perhaps the most famous character in film noir movies is the femme fatale. Who is the femme fatale in this film? Describe her character and what she does that qualifies her to be this archetype. 2. In film noir, many of the male leads are weak, frustrated men. While you are watching Double Indemnity, make a mental note of Walter Neff’s characteristics? What kind of man is he? What is his relationship like with women? 3. Double Indemnity has been called “a film without a single trace of pity or love.” Do you agree with this statement? Explain. Think about the motivations that lie behind the actions of Walter Neff and Phyllis Dietrichson when you consider your response. 4. In your mind, are there any heroes in Double Indemnity? If so, who? Explain what makes them a hero in your eyes? 5. Film noir literally means “black film.” As you are watching the film, keep track of all the elements in the picture that seem dark or depressing.
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Double Indemnity: Billy Wilder Vs
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Double Indemnity by Matt Zoller Seitz “The a List: the National Society of Film Critics’ 100 Essential Films,” 2002
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Double Indemnity
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