Bart Tare (played by John Dall) developed an early obsession with firearms, leading to trouble even when he was young—at fourteen, he’d already been sent to reform school due to another incident involving a gun. After serving in the army, he returns home and becomes infatuated with Annie Laurie Starr (Peggy Cummins), a carnival performer who is also skilled with weapons, and joins her act. Following a disagreement with their boss, they leave and begin a life of crime, with Annie demonstrating a clear enjoyment of using guns. "Deadly Is the Female," also known as "Gun Crazy," seems to draw inspiration from the true story of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, and it’s hard to find another film that portrays “doomed lovers on the run” quite so effectively. While categorized as a "B" movie due to its production values, there's no question that this film is stylish, cleverly made, and undeniably alluring. Directed by Joseph H. Lewis ("My Name Is Julia Ross/The Big Combo"), the story was originally written by MacKinlay Kantor and then rewritten by Millard Kaufman (who was blacklisted as Dalton Trumbo) to explore the connection between sex and violence, while also examining gun worship and its role in American culture. Dall and Cummins might seem like an unlikely pair at first glance, but under Lewis’s direction, they complement each other perfectly—like a gun and holster. He seems refined, almost delicately vulnerable when he speaks, but beneath that lies the same restless fascination with firearms. She is intelligent, possessing an almost innocent sensuality, yet ultimately she's a fiercely independent spirit who resists being controlled. Lewis’s contribution to this film deserves recognition, particularly the extended bank robbery scene filmed in one continuous shot. It’s worth appreciating his long takes, camera angles, deep focus, and jerky camera movements—all of which enhance the protagonists’ journey toward destruction. Perhaps his most impressive achievement was how he prepared his actors: allowing them to improvise and even giving them encouragement related to their characters' chemistry, despite any studio limitations. The result is a film that comes remarkably close to being a masterpiece, a significant work within its genre, and one that continues to influence filmmakers while still providing entertainment. 9/10

Source on TMDB