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The Sniper (1952)
Rate:
9
Viewed:
11/23
11/23:
The Sniper is a well-shot film noir that's certainly ahead of its time.
Sniper attacks wouldn't begin in earnest until the 60's. One of the most famous examples is Charles Whitman who went up
the Texas Tower. This rare method of killing continued during the 70's, thanks to the returning soldiers who were
psychologically messed-up as a result of the Vietnam War. The most recent is the Beltway Shooting. All told, it's a
serial killer picture that showcases violence against women.
What's also remarkable is the filmmakers correctly capturing the cyclic pattern: the built-up anger, the murder of a
female in the form of sexual release, the cooldown, and the dormancy. The killer won't stop until he's caught or kills
himself. There are several shocking scenes including Jean Darr smashing her body against the glass while shot as she
looks over the poster of herself.
It's a fine performance by Arthur Franz. Even better is the outstanding location shots of San Francisco. The city still
ranks in the top two when it comes to films noirs with the other being Los Angeles. Most of the time,
the cinematography is perfect in the noir sense which was handled by Burnett Guffey who went on to win Oscars
for From Here to Eternity and
Bonnie and Clyde. The only flaw, despite the Oscar-nominated story, is the
therapist's liberal talk.
All in all, before there was Dirty Harry, there was The Sniper, a supremely
made film noir.