The Killing Soundtrack (

The Killing Soundtrack (1956) cover

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Rating: 7.90/10 from 97000 votes
Alternate Names:
Title in Español:

Atraco perfecto
Title in Italiano:

Rapina a mano armata
Title in Português:

Um Roubo no Hipódromo
Title in Français:

L'Ultime Razzia
Title in Türk:

The Killing
Title in Deutsch:

Die Rechnung ging nicht auf

Synopsis

Johnny Clay (Sterling Hayden), an ex-convict, organizes a $2 million racecourse hold-up. His accomplices are race track cashier George Peatty (Elisha Cook, Jr.); the barman Mike O'Reilly (Joe Sawyer), crooked policeman Randy Kenna (Ted de Corsia), and former alcoholic Marvin Unger (Jay C. Filppen) who finances the operation. Johnny's fiancee, Fay (Colleen Gray), worries that he may go back to prison for this but he tells her that the risks are worth taking.

George needs the money to give to his nagging and narcissistic wife Sherry (Marie Windsor), who is having an affair with mobster Val Cannon (Vince Edwards), who is trying to persuade Sherry to let him kill George so they can run off with his money. Mike needs the money to care for his constantly sick wife. Randy is revealed to need the money to pay off some local bookies for bad gambling debts.

During their meeting to discuss the details of the robbery, George catches Sherry spying on them and subdues her. He sends the others, including George, home to talk with her. Johnny knows that Sherry is a grifter only out for money, and he tells her that he will give her a generous share of their loot when it gets pulled off. But Sherry, being who she is, tells Val who agrees to steal the money afterwards so they can have it all for themselves.

Johnny hires Nikki Arane (Timothy Carey), a gunman-for-hire and Maurice Oboukhoff (Kola Kwarain), a former ex-con and Russian wrestler, to create diversions at the start of the 7th race when the hold-up will begin.

At the start of the 7th race, Maurice starts a brawl at Mike's bar. The racetrack guards subdue him. While they are occupied, George opens the door to the payroll office and Johnny slips through. Johnny gets out a rapid-firing shotgun that Mike planted earlier in his locker, puts on a mask and holds up the four clerks at the payroll office. Johnny stuffs $2 million in cash into a large bag and throws it out the window. Randy, waiting below, takes the bag, drives to a motel, and leaves it in a room that Johnny is renting. Johnny then escapes from the racetrack in the confusion and panic caused when Nikki shoots the racehorse, Red Lighting, with a high powered rifle from a distant parking lot. But Nikki is killed by a black policeman (James Edwards), whom he had earlier insulted by calling him a "nigger", who shoots him down as he attempts to flee out of the parking lot.

Afterward, George, Mike, Randy and Marvin wait at Johnny's apartment for him to show up with the loot when they are surprised by Val Cannon and an accomplice of his demanding to know where the loot is. A gunfight ensues and everyone is killed, except George who, though mortally wounded, drags himself home and kills Sherry who admits that she betrayed him, before expiring himself.

When Johnny learns that his partners are in trouble, he stuffs the racetrack loot in an old suitcase and goes to the airport and meets with Fay so they can leave town. They both purchase tickets to Boston, but the airport officials refuse to let Johnny carry the large suitcase on the plane, and he reluctantly checks the suitcase in for luggage.

On the airport runway, the suitcase containing the money falls off a luggage truck which swerves to avoid hitting a snobbish, rich woman's pet dog. The suitcase breaks open, and the money is scattered in all directions. Johnny and Fay attempt to escape from the airport, but they cannot hail a taxi. "What's the difference?", Johnny says as the police close in on them.

Download and play the Soundtrack list

Play Title Artist
The Killing
Also Sprach Zarathustra (from 2001: A Space Odyssey)
Gerald Fried: Performer
Main Title (from Spartacus)
Gerald Fried: Performer
Ode To Joy (from A Clockwork Orange)
Gerald Fried: Performer
Women Of Ireland (from Barry Lyndon)
Gerald Fried: Performer
Sarabande (from Barry Lyndon)
Gerald Fried: Performer
Themes (from Full Metal Jacket)
Gerald Fried: Performer
"Surfin' Bird" (from Full Metal Jacket)
Gerald Fried: Performer
Main Title / The Robbery (from The Killing)
Gerald Fried: Performer
Murder 'Mongst The Mannikins (from Killer's Kiss)
Gerald Fried: Performer
A Meditation On War (from Fear And Desire)
Gerald Fried: Performer
The Patrol (from Paths Of Glory)
Gerald Fried: Performer
March Of The Gloved Gladiators (from Day Of The Fight)
Gerald Fried: Performer
Theme (from The Shining)
Gerald Fried: Performer
"Midnight, The Stars And You" (from The Shining)
Gerald Fried: Performer
Love Theme (from Lolita)
Gerald Fried: Performer
On The Beautiful Danube (from 2001:A Space Odyssey)
Gerald Fried: Performer
The Bomb Run (from Dr. Strangelove)
Gerald Fried: Performer
"We'll Meet Again" (from Dr. Strangelove)
Gerald Fried: Performer

User reviews

Carol Smith
9/10

Overall, the evocative soundtrack of The Killing elevates the viewing experience, creating a memorable and immersive atmosphere that stays with the audience long after the credits roll.

Paul Walker
7/10

The soundtrack of The Killing perfectly captures the tension and suspense of the heist, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the film. The use of dramatic orchestral music during key moments heightens the sense of anticipation and keeps the audience engaged throughout the movie.

Thomas Jackson
5/10

The use of instrumental music in key moments of the movie enhances the emotional impact of the characters' actions, adding depth to their motivations and inner struggles.

Andrew Gonzalez
9/10

The music effectively underscores key moments of action and conflict, heightening the emotional impact of the characters' decisions and their inevitable consequences.

Patricia Baker
8/10

The music in The Killing effectively reflects the characters' emotions and motivations, adding depth to their personalities and actions. The soundtrack helps to convey the inner struggles and conflicts of each character, making their decisions and choices more impactful and relatable to the audience.

Ashley Jones
6/10

The soundtrack effectively conveys the sense of impending doom and inevitable betrayal that looms over the characters, foreshadowing the tragic events that unfold during the heist.

Elizabeth Parker
4/10

The soundtrack of The Killing fails to capture the tension and suspense of the heist scenes. The music feels generic and uninspired, lacking the necessary depth to enhance the on-screen action.

Patricia Carter
9/10

The use of jazzy undertones and discordant notes adds a sense of unease and unpredictability to the unfolding events, enhancing the overall sense of danger and betrayal within the story.

Karen Thomas
5/10

The music in The Killing is masterfully composed to mirror the characters' descent into greed and desperation, intensifying the drama and escalating the stakes with each passing moment.

Amanda Young
5/10

The music in The Killing is a character in itself, shaping the narrative and influencing the viewer's perception of the events unfolding on screen, adding richness and depth to the storytelling.

Margaret Green
2/10

The soundtrack lacks memorable themes or motifs that could have helped to anchor the audience's emotional journey throughout the film. Without strong musical cues to guide the viewer, the impact of key moments is diminished, making the overall viewing experience less engaging.

Mary Anderson
4/10

The score often feels out of place and disconnected from the characters' emotions and motivations. It fails to create a cohesive atmosphere that complements the unfolding drama, leaving the audience feeling disconnected from the story.

Carol Jackson
5/10

The haunting melodies and dissonant harmonies in the soundtrack create a haunting atmosphere that stays with you long after the film has ended, leaving a lasting impression of the characters' moral dilemmas and ultimate downfall.

Edward Mitchell
6/10

Overall, the soundtrack of The Killing is a standout feature of the film, contributing to its noir atmosphere and enhancing the audience's immersion in the dark and gritty world of crime and betrayal.

Mark Green
5/10

The soundtrack's use of rhythmic patterns and sudden shifts in tempo mirrors the unpredictable nature of the heist and its aftermath, keeping the audience engaged and invested in the story until the very end.

Paul Moore
10/10

The haunting and atmospheric score of The Killing perfectly captures the tension and suspense of the heist plot, immersing the audience in the gritty world of the characters.

James Lee
6/10

The combination of jazz and orchestral elements in the soundtrack adds a layer of sophistication and complexity to the film, reflecting the intricate web of relationships and schemes among the characters.

Elizabeth Phillips
6/10

The soundtrack of The Killing perfectly captures the tension and suspense of the heist planning and execution, creating a sense of unease that keeps you on edge throughout the film.