Top 20 Highest Rated Film Noir of 1943 to 1944

Film noir, noted for its dark visual style, takes place primarily, but not exclusively, within the generic complex of the American crime film of the forties and fifties. The term was first introduced by French cineaste Nino Frank in 1946. Here is a selection of some of the best film noir released in the years 1943 to 1944. Total ratings for the 20 films = 147 (out of 200) an average of 7.35 out of 10. Three books were useful when selecting films for this video series - "Dark City - Film Noir" by Spencer Selby, "Film Noir Guide" by Michael F. Keaney, and "Film Noir - An Encyclopedic Reference to the American Style" by Alain Silver and Elizabeth Ward.
Ratings Average sources include IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes, Radio Times, FilmAffinity, Letterboxd, TMDB, Videohound, Maltin's Movie Guide and Halliwell's Film Guide.
Hypnothis by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution licence (creativecommons.org/licenses/... incompetech.com/music/royalty-... incompetech.com/
Impact Prelude by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution licence (creativecommons.org/licenses/... incompetech.com/music/royalty-... incompetech.com/
Moon Rock by Nathan Moore
Cataclysmic Molten Core by Jingle Punks
Echinoderm Regeneration by Jingle Punks
Galactic Damages by Jingle Punks

[@klarkz]

The new batch of noirs is even better. It is obvious the genre's gone in full throttle mode. Again I've watched most of the movies: from 14th onward + No. 19. I am surprised The Seventh Victim is so low ranked. Cult movie without a doubt, among the best in Val Lewton oeuvre and must be seen on its own merits. By the way, Lewton and the director Robson gave us the pleasure of their version of the shower scene Hitchcock style 17 years before the great Hitch done it in Psycho. And I insist to say that this is not how the seventh victim found her ultimate end ;)

[@Top10Charts3978]

Hi there, sorry for the low ranking on The 7th Victim, looking at my files out of 11 movie sources there are just two that give it a higher score than it ended up with on the video. My favorite Val Lewton film? Probably The Body Snatcher. I enjoyed Cat People too and it's haunting sequel. Thanks for posting!

[@klarkz]

@@Top10Charts3978 Don't worry about the low ranking, I am wondering at the critics. We have almost identical predilections for Val Lewtons' films. I would add and I walked with a zombie.

[@Top10Charts3978]

@@klarkz Zombie's a favorite of mine too. :)

[@mikebarratt4802]

I have seen 5 film noirs from 43/ 44 woman in the window gaslight murder my sweet Laura and double indemnity.although I don't know if gaslight would be seen as film noir.

[@Top10Charts3978]

Aloha Mike. I've seen 8 of these, my favorites include Laura, The Lodger, Shadow of a Doubt, Farewell My Lovely (UK title) and Double Indemnity. Thanks for posting!

[@walterappling6230]

Some fine films and directors here. Gene Kelly is a little jarring to see in this group. Should be a Bad Hairstyle Noir category for the treatment of so many 1940s actresses by their studio hairstylists. Still better than that other crime category of the 1940s, women’s hats. At least they’ll still be watching Double Indemnity in 2444. Who knew Professor Brainard was such a cad?

[@Top10Charts3978]

Hi Walter, musical stars Gene 'Gotta dance!' Kelly and Deanna Durbin in a film noir was kind of unexpected, and it all ends in tears too. I wonder if Doris Day turns up in one too, don't be surprised.

[@walterappling6230]

@@Top10Charts3978 Doris did Hitchcock before she became a perpetual middle-aged virgin in films, so noir would be fun. And to be fair “Pillow Talk” is a classic of the rom-com genre. Saw it in ‘59 or ‘60, still amused by what she did to that apartment.