Watchmen isn't even close to film-noir. Rorschach is something of a detective, in the tradition of hard-boiled fiction, but he owes more to other comic book super heroes (mainly Batman). Also, true films-noir are from a very specific time period between 1941 and 1958; everything after that is something different (neo-noir is a popular phrase used). And Watchmen isn't really even a neo-noir. Personally, I thought it was just a bad, overly stylized action movie (although the fact that I had read and loved the graphic novel before seeing it undoubtedly tainted my opinion).
A funny thing happened to me just now: I was looking for "Evil Angels" (aka "A Cry in the Dark") (1988) and accidentally misspelled it "evil abgels"; it brought me straight to this list.
I guess it could be argued that it is a neo-noir. The visual style and setting does indeed draw a lot from film noir; the plot and characters, not so much.
Film-Noir was an American movement in the 40's and 50's, American noirs made after this are called neo-Noirs. Noirs made before the 40's are just called Noir Precursors(this term is avoid of Nationality)
(Non-American noirs are, no matter when they were made just Noirs, though their nationality is often put in front of it, such as British Noir, German Noir, Norwegian Noir, etc)
The only reasons I can think of why Casablanca shouldn't be counted as a film noir is that it was too popular, and has a happy ending (and there are films on this list that end well).
So you're suggesting that the lecturers of my university, who happen to be experts in film and language, are wrong? I think you should probably write and tell them to change their course title, since you obviously know better.
As for it being "American", in my personal opinion, noir began in the late 30's in France with films such as Pépé le Moko and Le Jour se Leve, and the "American" noir style was heavily influenced by the émigrés of the 2nd World War who moved to Hollywood through fear of being persecuted,f or example Billy Wilder and Fritz Lang, and those who moved there for personal reasons, eg Alfred Hitchcock. Therefore making American noir influenced by Europe than the other way around. Again, this is my personal opinion.
As I'm sure you're aware, there is no solid definition for what a 'film noir' is and so it open to interpretation. Although the "classic" period IS 1940-50s and Hollywood produced many noirs, You cannot simply say "This film is not a noir" just because it wasn't produced in Hollywood.
I'm not saying you're wrong, but I disagree with you disregarding films simply because they weren't made in America and denying the fact that noirs were made outside of the USA.
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Comments 31 - 44 of 44
kathzerion
Watchmen isn't even close to film-noir. Rorschach is something of a detective, in the tradition of hard-boiled fiction, but he owes more to other comic book super heroes (mainly Batman). Also, true films-noir are from a very specific time period between 1941 and 1958; everything after that is something different (neo-noir is a popular phrase used). And Watchmen isn't really even a neo-noir. Personally, I thought it was just a bad, overly stylized action movie (although the fact that I had read and loved the graphic novel before seeing it undoubtedly tainted my opinion).Jumping Elephant
A funny thing happened to me just now: I was looking for "Evil Angels" (aka "A Cry in the Dark") (1988) and accidentally misspelled it "evil abgels"; it brought me straight to this list.frbrown
Why did "Passion of Joan of Arc" enter this list (and also horror and mystery)?Looks like something strange happened on IMDB.
Uruloki
I guess it could be argued that it is a neo-noir. The visual style and setting does indeed draw a lot from film noir; the plot and characters, not so much.St. Gloede
Film-Noir was an American movement in the 40's and 50's, American noirs made after this are called neo-Noirs. Noirs made before the 40's are just called Noir Precursors(this term is avoid of Nationality)(Non-American noirs are, no matter when they were made just Noirs, though their nationality is often put in front of it, such as British Noir, German Noir, Norwegian Noir, etc)
stimodin
Chinatown is not Film-Noir, but Neo-Noir... it is made after the Noir era as a homage to Noir films....StrikerObi
Where's The Third Man? I find it unbelievable that it's not in the TOP FIFTY film noir list. Wow.scaphane
The only reasons I can think of why Casablanca shouldn't be counted as a film noir is that it was too popular, and has a happy ending (and there are films on this list that end well).Rocket-Queen
Ok, why have Witness for the Prosecution and Rebecca been added?!merlynwise
How could "Body Heat" not be here?hjfisher
So you're suggesting that the lecturers of my university, who happen to be experts in film and language, are wrong? I think you should probably write and tell them to change their course title, since you obviously know better.As for it being "American", in my personal opinion, noir began in the late 30's in France with films such as Pépé le Moko and Le Jour se Leve, and the "American" noir style was heavily influenced by the émigrés of the 2nd World War who moved to Hollywood through fear of being persecuted,f or example Billy Wilder and Fritz Lang, and those who moved there for personal reasons, eg Alfred Hitchcock. Therefore making American noir influenced by Europe than the other way around. Again, this is my personal opinion.
As I'm sure you're aware, there is no solid definition for what a 'film noir' is and so it open to interpretation. Although the "classic" period IS 1940-50s and Hollywood produced many noirs, You cannot simply say "This film is not a noir" just because it wasn't produced in Hollywood.
I'm not saying you're wrong, but I disagree with you disregarding films simply because they weren't made in America and denying the fact that noirs were made outside of the USA.
StillDog
Watchmen?cowboybibop
How come Citizen Cane isn't on this list?scaphane
How come Casablanca isn't on this list?Showing items 31 – 44 of 44