Death and the Maiden (1994)
Genre: Thriller / Drama
Duration: 103 minuten
Country:
United Kingdom / United States / France
Directed by: Roman Polanski
Stars: Sigourney Weaver, Ben Kingsley and Stuart Wilson
IMDb score:
7,2 (28.804)
Releasedate: 4 May 1994
Death and the Maiden plot
"Prepare yourself for the moment of truth."
War crimes were committed by the Junta between 1975 and 1980. Paulina (Sigourney Weaver) was then raped and tortured by a doctor for two weeks. Her husband now chairs the committee to lead the murderers in court. Because Paulina was raped and tortured, she also wants justice. One night, the electricity goes out on the peninsula and her husband is brought home by a doctor (Ben Kingsley), whom she believes she recognizes as her rapist. But is she right?
Actors and actresses
Paulina Escobar
Dr. Roberto Miranda
Gerardo Escobar
Dr. Miranda's Wife
Dr. Miranda's Son
Dr. Miranda's Son
String Quartet Player
String Quartet Player
String Quartet Player
String Quartet Player
Reviews & comments
baspls
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- 4118 messages
- 1673 votes
Death and the Maiden tells the story of a South American country just after the fall of the dictatorship. When her husband is brought home by a good-hearted Samaritan for having a flat tire, she recognizes this good neighbor as the doctor who raped her during interrogations. But is that true?
In a very Hitchcockian way, Polanksi still manages to make a film that takes place in one location with only 3 actors very interesting. The concept of the film and the confrontations that come with it are very well liked. In particular Sigourney Weaver and Ben Kingsley played very strong. The film is also well shot and I really liked the music by Wojciech Kilar.
At first, Weaver seems totally paranoid and Kingsley seems like goodness itself, but at the very end it turns out that the doctor did have something to do with the regime and also raped. However, it is still not clear whether he was the doctor in question, although that is very likely due to all the coincidences. But the question is whether that matters.
Some confrontations could have been better and Polanski could have lived on more suspense, but nevertheless Death and the Maiden is a captivating and exciting minimalist film.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Fisico
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- 10039 messages
- 5398 votes
I quite enjoyed this Polanski. In my opinion it is one of his best films. From a historical point of view, this could have involved just about any South or Central American country where the dictatorial regime of yesteryear still leaves deep wounds (literally and figuratively) in the slow restoration to democracy. A country is not mentioned here, which in itself is not a necessity, just a pity that English was spoken instead of Spanish.
It is a film that almost exclusively takes place in 1 room with only 3 characters. The three protagonists are perfectly attuned to each other. I did find the structure interesting, in which Paulina's idea unfolds slowly but meticulously. The doubt as to whether she is right or not remains for a while and the role of her partner certainly contributes to that. In this way the tension is kept high.
I certainly saw a fine Sigourney Weaver. Despite the lability, a confident dominant woman. I also thought the combination of music by Schubert intertwined with the intrigue and the setting was great. Great ending too where I didn't think he would survive.
Translated from Dutch · View original
wizard of midian
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- 164 messages
- 150 votes
Typical Polanski movie.
* Few actors, here it is 3 people.
* Only 1 location
* Dialogue is important.
* There is tension in the air that is difficult to put into words.
Thought it was a good movie, although it seemed a bit messy and unclear at the beginning. I liked the ending.
If you're interested in Polanski's films, it must be said that he has made better ones (but also worse ones).
I think his toppers are Carnage, Bitter Moon, The Ninth Gate, Rosemary's baby ... .
This movie is good but not one of his top works.
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