3 Examples of Classic Film Noir: 1 Double Indemnity

1. Double Indemnity by Billy Wilder released 1944

The protagonist Walter Neff played by Fred MacMurray, is an insurance salesman who meets the wily femme fatale Phyllis Dietrichson played by Barbara Stanwyck, during a house call to renew her husband’s car insurance policy. It isn’t long before Walter falls for Phyllis’ dangerous charm. But after hearing her contemplate how she can take out life insurance on her husband Mr Dietrichson played by Tom Powers, without him knowing about it, Walter Neff realises she means murder and doesn’t want anything to do with it. However Phyllis pursues him back to his and persuades him to help her murder her husband for his insurance policy. With his knowledge from working in insurance for so long, Walter comes up with a plan to push the husband off a train making it seem like an accident – this would then entitle Phyllis to "double indemnity" – a clause in the insurance policy to pay the widow twice the amount.

The plot itself is a big characteristic of Film Noir; seduction, betrayal and murder, can all be found in Double Indemnity.

Another major noir trait in this film is Barbara Stanwyck character Phyllis Dietrichson – the classic femme fatal – seducing a man to commit murder for her.