Layfhaker gathered the best detectives of different epochs: from the classics of the genre to the tapes in neo-noir style. All of them received high marks from critics and audiences. Many were marked by prestigious awards and nominations.
1. 12 Angry Men
12 Angry Men
- Drama, Detective.
- United States, 1956.
- Duration: 96 minutes.
- IMDb: 8,9.
A young man from the slums is accused of killing his own father. Teenager facing the death penalty, and it seems that everything is obvious. But in the conference room is one of the 12 jurors allowed himself to doubt the circumstances of the case. It tied a long discussion, developing into disputes and investigations.
This film - the most excellent legal drama, rather than a full detective, but it lacks space for unexpected plot twists. Picture repeatedly fell into ratings the best creations in the history of cinema.
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2. The Usual Suspects
The Usual Suspects
- Thriller, Drama, Detective.
- USA, Germany, 1995.
- Duration: 106 minutes.
- IMDb: 8,5.
The explosion on the ship carrying cocaine, several dozen people were injured. Police are trying to determine the cause of the incident and questioned the sole survivor - cripple nicknamed Chatterbox. And he talks about the large-scale plot, in the center of which stands the elusive mafia boss.
British Academy Awards picture statuette for Best Picture, and Kevin Spacey received the "Oscar" for Best Supporting Actor. In addition, the band became famous director Bryan Singer - the future creator of the franchise "X-men».
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3. Heaven and Hell
Tengoku to jigoku
- Thriller, Drama, Detective.
- Japan, 1963.
- Duration: 143 minutes.
- IMDb: 8,5.
The film is the famous author of "seven samurai"Akira Kurosawa tells the story of the kidnapping. Attackers planned to take hostage the son of a successful businessman Gondo, but mistakenly took the child his personal driver. And now Gondo has to choose: spend the money for business development, and let the boy die or pay a ransom and go bankrupt.
4. Rear Window
Rear Window
- Thriller, detective.
- United States, 1954.
- Duration: 112 minutes.
- IMDb: 8,4.
legendary film Alfred Hitchcock dedicated to the photographer, who was locked up at home after breaking his leg. Out of boredom, he is constantly watching out the window for the neighbors. And gradually it begins to seem that the apartment across from the murder occurred.
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5. prosecution witness
Witness for the Prosecution
- Thriller, Drama, Detective.
- United States, 1957.
- Duration: 116 minutes.
- IMDb: 8,4.
Lawyer Wilfrid Robarts due to illness left his job in court. But once his attention was attracted by a very complicated criminal case. Leonard Vaul is accused of the murder of a close friend and a very wealthy because of the inheritance. The only witness for the defense may make his wife Vaul. Despite the prohibitions of doctors, a lawyer takes up this lost cause.
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6. citizen Kane
Citizen Kane
- Drama, Detective.
- United States, 1941.
- Duration: 119 minutes.
- IMDb: 8,3.
Newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane dies in his home, saying the word rosebud ( «pink bud"). The death of such a famous person causes a violent reaction from the public, and the journalist Thompson gets the job to understand his past.
The legendary director Orson Welles's work - one of the first examples of the non-linear narrative in the movie. The film is filled with flashbacks, which gradually reveal the past of the protagonist. The picture won nine nominations for "Oscar", and its invaluable contribution to cinema. The American Film Institute has made the list in 1998AFI's 100 GREATEST AMERICAN MOVIES OF ALL TIME the best American films in which the "Citizen Kane" was in first place.
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7. LA Confidential
L.A. Confidential
- Thriller, Drama, Detective.
- United States, 1997.
- Duration: 138 minutes.
- IMDb: 8,2.
In the early '50s, three Los Angeles police are trying to understand the chain of murders. The investigation brings them to a network of on-call girls, blackmailed officials. And then it turns out that in fact is involved and even the police.
This pattern is primarily attracted by the bright cast member. It brought together Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kevin Spacey and Kim Basinger.
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8. Rashomon
Rashômon
- Drama, Detective.
- Japan, 1950.
- Duration: 88 minutes.
- IMDb: 8,2.
The plot is set in Japan of the XI century. Fleeing from the storm, a few people are discussing the recent event - the murder of the samurai and the rape of his wife. There are several points of view on what happened, and it seems that every character is telling the truth. But their stories contradict each other.
9. Chinatown
Chinatown
- Thriller, Drama, Detective.
- USA, 1974.
- Duration: 130 minutes.
- IMDb: 8,2.
Jack Nicholson in the film Roman Polanski plays a private detective Jake Gittsa. Rich lady asks the hero to follow her husband, whom she suspects of infidelity. But soon the usual investigation turns into a succession of intrigues and exposing corruption.
The picture won 11 nominations for "Oscar" and was very warmly received by the audience. Therefore, in 1990 the very Nicholson decided to orchestrate the sequel "The Two Jakes". But the continuation failed to repeat the success of the original.
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10. In the case of murder, dial "M"
Dial M for Murder
- Thriller, detective.
- United States, 1954.
- Duration: 105 minutes.
- IMDb: 8,2.
Former tennis player, who is married to an heiress, suspects his wife of infidelity. Fearing divorce, he decides to kill his wife and comes up with the perfect crime, which will provide him a hundred percent alibi. But he did not realize that even such a plan may fail.
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11. The third man
The Third Man
- Thriller, detective.
- United Kingdom, 1949.
- Duration: 104 minutes.
- IMDb: 8,1.
Author of pulp novels Holly Martins arrives in Vienna at the invitation of his friend Harry Lime. Soon, the hero finds out that a friend recently died in an accident, and the police and all thought he was a racketeer. Then Martins decides to conduct its own investigation, to restore the good name of Lyme and prove that it was murder.
12. Shutter Island
Shutter Island
- Thriller, detective.
- United States, 2010.
- Duration: 138 minutes.
- IMDb: 8,1.
Bailiffs are sent to a psychiatric hospital on the island closed. They need to understand the circumstances of the disappearance of the patient, but it seems that the hospital staff he is trying to hide from them the evidence. In addition to all of the island falls hurricane that cut off from the rest of the heroes of the world.
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13. Captive
Prisoners
- Thriller, Drama, Detective.
- United States, 2013.
- Duration: 153 minutes.
- IMDb: 8,1.
Denis Villeneuve I took a very busy detective thriller, obviously imitating the style of David Fincher. Keller Dover's daughter goes for a walk with his girlfriend and disappears. The first suspect - idiot Alex - caught very quickly, but the police have enough evidence for an arrest. And then the girl's father decides to judge himself.
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14. Memories of Murder
Salinui chueok
- Detective, Drama, Thriller.
- South Korea, 2003.
- Duration: 131 minutes.
- IMDb: 8,1.
The Korean province wielding serial maniac, raped and killed his victims. Two detectives are trying to catch him, often using brutal interrogation methods. After their failure to help the police sent a more experienced investigator from Seoul.
15. The Maltese falcon
The Maltese Falcon
- Noir, detective.
- United States, 1941.
- Duration: 100 minutes.
- IMDb: 8,0.
The detective bureau Miles Archer and Sam Spade calls the customer with a request to follow certain mysterious man. But soon dies and the goal, and he Archer. Then Spade tries to understand the circumstances of the offense, parallel to obtain an order for search of priceless statues of the Maltese Falcon.
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16. The thin man
The Thin Man
- Comedy, Detective.
- United States, 1934.
- Duration: 91 minutes.
- IMDb: 8,0.
On Christmas Eve, the secretary famous inventor Clyde Winant are dead. It is because of this girl, he divorced his wife, but then I found out about her infidelity and criminal intentions. The very same Winant at the time left on a business trip, and no one can find. Therefore, the police begins to suspect him of the murder.
17. Laura
Laura
- Drama, Detective.
- United States, 1944.
- Duration: 88 minutes.
- IMDb: 8,0.
Police Lieutenant McPherson charge to investigate the murder of Laura Hunt is a successful businesswoman. Unknown shot her in the face right on the doorstep. Under suspicion two men close to Laura. Detective imbued with sympathy for the dead and decides to look into her apartment.
18. heat of the Night
In the Heat of the Night
- Drama, Detective.
- United States, 1967.
- Duration: 109 minutes.
- IMDb: 8,0.
White and dark-skinned policeman have to combine their efforts to investigate the brutal murder of a magnate from Chicago. The problem is that the local sheriff with hostility relates to a new partner because of the color of his skin, and even the first attempts to make him the prime suspect. In addition, they have different ways of working. But gradually colleagues begin to respect each other.
19. Sleuth
Sleuth
- Thriller, detective.
- US, UK, 1972.
- Duration: 138 minutes.
- IMDb: 8,0.
Popular writer Andrew Wyke invites me to visit his wife's young lover Milo. He makes a guest unexpected offer. Andrew is ready to release his wife and even give Milo a part of the state. Instead he has to stage a robbery at home.
The film starred just two actors: the role went to Andrew Laurence Olivier and young Milo played by Michael Caine. And many years later in the same name remake He reappeared all the same Kane, only this time in the form of Andrew.
20. ten Little Indians
- Detective thriller.
- USSR, 1987.
- Duration: 130 minutes.
- IMDb: 7,9.
10 strangers are going to cut off from the rest of the world patrimony. The owners are absent, and visitors are welcomed by the butler. During the first dinner recording starts, and an unknown voice accuses each of the participants in the murder.
21. Deep sleep
The Big Sleep
- Thriller, detective.
- United States, 1946.
- Duration: 109 minutes.
- IMDb: 7,9.
The youngest daughter of General Sternvuda leading quite cheeky life, blackmailed. Detective Marlowe agrees to find the extortionists, but the criminals one after another die unexpectedly. Help the detective is taken the second daughter of a general, which itself may be associated with these deaths.
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22. Mystic river
Mystic River
- Thriller, Drama, Detective.
- USA, Australia, 2003.
- Duration: 138 minutes.
- IMDb: 7,9.
Sean, Dave and Jimmy were friends in childhood. But then one of them was a tragedy: Dave found himself being held hostage by a pedophile. Meet friends only many years later, during the investigation of the murder of the daughter of Jimmy. In this case, Shawn conducts business, but the chief suspect is their third companion.
Picture Clint Eastwood It was one of the main nominees for the "Oscar", but in the "Best Film" category, she lost the third part of "Lord of the Rings." However, the statuette for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor still moved "Mystic River."
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23. Conversation
The Conversation
- Thriller, Drama, Detective.
- USA, 1974.
- Duration: 113 minutes.
- IMDb: 7,8.
Successful businessman hires the best specialists in tapping Harry Cole, to the recorded conversation of a couple of lovers. Realizing that it is not just treason, Cole examines the record carefully and understand what may soon happen murder. Then he decides to break its own rules, to avoid the tragedy.
24. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
- Thriller, detective.
- USA, Sweden, Norway, in 2011.
- Duration: 158 minutes.
- IMDb: 7,8.
A screen adaptation of the same name bestselling Stieg Larsson. Journalist Mikael Blomkvist and the genius hacker Lisbeth Salander to investigate missing niece industrialist Henrik Vanger. Businessman believes that the girl was killed, and did so one of his family members. The difficulty is that the crime happened 40 years ago.
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25. Zodiac
Zodiac
- Thriller, Drama, Detective.
- United States, 2007.
- Duration: 158 minutes.
- IMDb: 7,7.
Maniac nicknamed the Zodiac after each murder journalists leaves clues that have to get on his trail. Several employees of major newspapers decide to help the police to clarify the identity of the offender.
Since the film is based on real events, she has an ambiguous ending. However, David Fincher tried as accurately as possible to restore the real investigation.
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26. windy river
Wind River
- Thriller, Drama, Detective.
- UK, Canada, USA, 2016.
- Duration: 107 minutes.
- IMDb: 7,7.
Huntsman Cory Lambert is on the territory of an Indian reservation mutilated body of a girl. Appointed to investigate the case of an FBI agent Jane Benner, but she needs help somebody local. She asks Corey to help her catch the perpetrators of this murder.
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27. name of the rose
Der Name der Rose
- Thriller, Drama, Detective.
- Germany, Italy, France, 1986.
- Duration: 130 minutes.
- IMDb: 7,7.
Great Sean Connery in the film adaptation of the debut novel by Umberto Eco plays the Franciscan monk. Together with his novice hero investigates a mysterious death in a Benedictine monastery in the north of Italy. The search leads him to the book of Aristotle, which could change the image of God.
28. Gone Baby Gone
Gone Baby Gone
- Thriller, Drama, Detective.
- United States, 2007.
- Duration: 114 minutes.
- IMDb: 7,6.
Boston police are unsuccessfully trying to investigate the disappearance of a little girl. When the authorities are ready to give up her aunt begs two private detectives to continue the work. And they, along with the police discover new clues that will change the lives of all participants in the process.
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29. Not caught, not a thief
Inside Man
- Thriller, Drama, Detective.
- United States, 2006.
- Duration: 129 minutes.
- IMDb: 7,6.
In the heart of New York committed a bank robbery. Criminals were able to arrange everything so that the police do not know any of their faces, nor quantity, nor even purpose. But Detective Frazier continues to search for the head of the gang and gradually realizes that the intruders were interested in something more than money.
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30. long farewell
The Long Goodbye
- Detective, Drama, Crime.
- USA, 1973.
- Duration: 112 minutes.
- IMDb: 7,6.
Going out at night for food for cats, the private detective Philip Marlowe met an old friend Terry Lennox. He asked for a good pay to take him to the Mexican border. Returning to his home in the morning, Marlowe is a suspect in the murder of his wife's friend.
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31. kiss kiss Bang Bang
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
- Comedy, Detective.
- United States, 2005.
- Duration: 103 minutes.
- IMDb: 7,5.
Hapless thief Harry Lockhart, fleeing from the police, gets to audition for the movie. He liked the producer, and now it wants to take on the role of detective. And so Harry looked more convincing, the thief is sent for training to the present detective Perry Van Shrike. And soon, the hero has to investigate a real murder.
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32. Brick
Brick
- Detective drama.
- United States, 2005.
- Duration: 110 minutes.
- IMDb: 7,3.
Young outsider Brendan Frye receives a message from his ex-girlfriend Emily. She asks him to come to a certain place, it calls him on the phone, said a few incoherent phrases and disappears. Brendan and his only friend is necessary to understand yourself in a mysterious case.
33. Angel heart
angel Heart
- Horror, thrillerDetective.
- UK, Canada, USA, 1987.
- Duration: 113 minutes.
- IMDb: 7,3.
The private detective Harry Angel turns mysterious Mr. Cypher. He asks to find a musician Johnny Feyvorita, who disappeared after the war. The detective starts investigating. But the further advance his quest becomes the confusing thing, and everyone questioning Harry, die soon.
34. Evidence
Clue
- Thriller, detective.
- United States, 1985.
- Duration: 94 minutes.
- IMDb: 7,3.
Mr Boddy gathering at his home a few guests, but then suddenly the lights go out and kill the host. Vizitory denied any involvement, though each of them had a serious motive. In order to absolve themselves of blame, the suspect need find the real killerWho is hiding in the house.
It is interesting that this film is based on a board game, which may have different endings. And so the ending tape looks very suddenly.
35. Murder on the "Orient Express"
Murder on the Orient Express
- Drama, Detective.
- United Kingdom, 1974.
- Duration: 128 minutes.
- IMDb: 7,3.
Famous detective Hercule Poirot is traveling on a luxury "Orient Express." At night, one of the passengers killed, and the suspect are literally all his companions. Detective will find out in one of the most difficult of his affairs.
There are than added to the list? Tell us in the comments.
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