Film Noir Introduction

Film Noir: "A film that is marked by a mood of pessimism, fatalism, menace and sexual, cynical characters"; a name applied by french critics (aka Nino Frank, 1946) to describe American thriller or detective films in the early 1940's through to the late 1950's.
The idea of the 'Film Noir' period is developed from the idea that the countries were falling apart after the war. Not only have many men lost their courage through fighting outrageous battles, but they also have to compete with the growing strength of the women. During the war they took on the roles of the men, and so the character 'Femme Fatale' apparent in these films are seen to represent this era of new women. Usually the main character (male) is displayed as a weakened man, usually corrupt, as many men would have been after the war.

The first film recognised as under the guise of 'Film Noir' was Stranger On The Third Floor (1940), directed by Boris Ingster.