Death and the Maiden

Fine Line Features | Release Date: December 23, 1994

7.7	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Ratings

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JayHMay 10, 2009

Intense and compelling, excellent direction by Roman Polanski. Sigourney Weaver and Ben Kingsley are amazing. Never a dull moment, very fast pacing. Fascinating story. I was not fully satisfied by the ending, but not sure if there would be Intense and compelling, excellent direction by Roman Polanski. Sigourney Weaver and Ben Kingsley are amazing. Never a dull moment, very fast pacing. Fascinating story. I was not fully satisfied by the ending, but not sure if there would be any better way… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

JaredC.Aug 8, 2007

I couldn't wait tell this movie came out on DVD, until I found nothing in the store but boring old 1940 movies. Two years later I found it in a store, but that was a time that I didn't have much taste or appetite for that kind of I couldn't wait tell this movie came out on DVD, until I found nothing in the store but boring old 1940 movies. Two years later I found it in a store, but that was a time that I didn't have much taste or appetite for that kind of genre. But I watched it and I didn't mind it but could need some work on a few things.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

mymom51Sep 19, 2013

Simply one of the best movies done on the aftermath of the South American dictatorships. We should never forget the tyranny of the Catholic Church over the centuries and the legacy it left behind. You don't know if she is crazy or not. SheSimply one of the best movies done on the aftermath of the South American dictatorships. We should never forget the tyranny of the Catholic Church over the centuries and the legacy it left behind. You don't know if she is crazy or not. She was an unknown at the time but you could tell she was on her way up.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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MartyGJun 25, 2008

The issue is very real but this movie treatment is too obvious in its plot development and the ending just fades away. Weaver is not convincing, her husband has no spine, they have no chemistry. Kingsley makes it watchable.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

netflicOct 16, 2020

It is a psychological thriller by a famous (some might say "infamous") director Roman Polanski. This movie is not new, he made it back in 1994 but I never saw it before.
Most of it happens inside one room, with only three actors, so it couldIt is a psychological thriller by a famous (some might say "infamous") director Roman Polanski. This movie is not new, he made it back in 1994 but I never saw it before.
Most of it happens inside one room, with only three actors, so it could be quite a low budget film. For a thriller it is made remarkably well, it keeps you engaged almost to the end. Excellent performances from all three. Even though it lacks the depth of a real drama, it is still a very good piece of entertainment albeit dark.… Expand

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HyliadOct 7, 2011

Simply awesome: one place only, but... The film is smart and leaded by three amazing actors. The highlight are the numerous dialogues between complicated characters, with every defends his own point of view. And no flashback, no "tadam!"Simply awesome: one place only, but... The film is smart and leaded by three amazing actors. The highlight are the numerous dialogues between complicated characters, with every defends his own point of view. And no flashback, no "tadam!" revelations, the viewer makes his own reflections, and it's the evidence it is a good movie...… Expand

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Compi24Jun 14, 2020

Considering what this movie's about, it's nearly impossible to talk about any of it without discussing the inherently problematic nature behind Roman Polanski directing it. If it were up to me, the man would've no longer been working afterConsidering what this movie's about, it's nearly impossible to talk about any of it without discussing the inherently problematic nature behind Roman Polanski directing it. If it were up to me, the man would've no longer been working after the year 1978. And, in this alternative timeline, I'm almost certain Ariel Dorfman's "Death And The Maiden" would have gotten picked up and adapted into a fantastic film, regardless of who directed it. "Death And The Maiden" is a lot like James Foley's 1992 adaptation of David Mamet's "Glengarry Glen Ross," in that regard. The direction itself? It's fine. A couple interesting little shots and camera movements here and there, but nothing too crazy. The material, though? Man, oh, man. This is just a terrific story, layered with intrigue and the slimy, cognitive-dissonance-inducing realities of the world we all inhabit. It's hauntingly staged and executed from a narrative standpoint, featuring some truly thought-provoking musings on justice, truth and the sliding scale of the human condition. The acting is to be commended as well, with high marks going to Ben Kingsley, especially. I was really riveted by this. I just wish the powers-that-be weren't so tone deaf in their selecting of someone to bring such an impactful story as this to the big screen.… Expand

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BroyaxJan 26, 2017

Adapté d'une pièce de théâtre, le rythme lent puis hâché s'en ressent quelque peu mais ce huis-clos est l'un des films les plus réussis de Polanski. Le doute subsiste jusqu'à la fin -une fin inattendue- sur la prétendue culpabilité duAdapté d'une pièce de théâtre, le rythme lent puis hâché s'en ressent quelque peu mais ce huis-clos est l'un des films les plus réussis de Polanski. Le doute subsiste jusqu'à la fin -une fin inattendue- sur la prétendue culpabilité du bourreau ou sur la folie paranoïaque de la victime. Un sujet terrible et émouvant, habilement traité par le réalisateur et admirablement interprété par Sigourney Weaver et Ben Kingsley. La prestation de Monsieur Kingsley, je m'y attendais, il s'agit d'un acteur hors pair mais celle de Sigourney dans un rôle ô combien difficile, je ne m'y attendais pas vraiment : elle s'avère pourtant à la hauteur des enjeux, quelle grande actrice !… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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