An all-time classic crime thriller movie is airing on TV tonight

The tough-as-nails neo-noir is based on an Ernest Hemingway story.

Based on the short story of the same name by Ernest Hemingway (which was also previously adapted to great effect in 1946), the film follows two hitmen named Charlie (Lee Marvin, The Dirty Dozen) and Lee (Clu Gulager, The Last Picture Show).

This is as they are hired to kill ex-race car driver Johnny North (John Cassavetes, Rosemary's Baby).

Completing the job, Charlie is bothered that Johnny refused to flee when facing death and by the fact that he and Lee were anonymously paid an unusually high fee for the killing.

As such, Charlie begins to investigate why someone would want Johnny dead - thinking he and Lee could earn even more money.

The Killers also co-stars Angie Dickinson (Dressed to Kill) and Ronald Reagan as a mob boss in his final film role before entering politics.

And the movie's tough-as-nails performances, sharp screenplay and gritty direction from the legendary Don Siegel (Dirty Harry, Escape from Alcatraz, Charley Varrick) combine to make it a slick mix of crime thriller and existential mystery.

The Killers is airing on TV tonight at 9pm on Legend Xtra.

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