Knife in the Water (1962)
Nudity, low level coarse language
| Director: | Roman Polanski |
| Actors: | Jolanta Umecka, Leon Niemczyk, Zygmunt Malanowicz |
Roman Polanski's first feature is a brilliant psychological thriller that many critics still consider among his greatest work. The story is simple, yet the implications of its characters' emotions and actions are profound. When a young hitchhiker joins a couple on a weekend yacht trip, psychological warfare breaks out as the two men compete for the woman's attention. A storm forces the small crew below deck, and tension builds to a violent climax. With stinging dialogue and a mercilessly probing camera, Polanski creates a disturbing study of fear, humiliation, sexuality, and aggression.
| Status: | Normal |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 95mins |
| Origin: | POLAND |
| Aspect Ratio: | 1.33:1 |
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Member Reviews (12)
12 Member
Reviews
Art S.
says
Often beautiful to look at it in sumptuous black and white, Polanski's first film, a three-hander, already maintains a chilly distance from the characters. The distance between the characters is also probed, as two men (husband and the young hitchhiker) variously brag about their abilities or show off in front of the wife. The camera catches the sunlight and provides a tactile sense of reality, but everything is surfaces and, in the end, no one has been let inside.
Brian M.
says
I have to admit to enjoying Polanski's later films more than this one. Slow with cloudy character motivations. I didn't get into this, but the stark b
Russell W.
says
A definite classic but painstakingly slow and anti-climatic.
David Stephensen
says
This great movie is as fresh as the day it was made. Men can be just the same these days, and I am sure women find competitive machismo just as irritating as ever. I just pray that there is never a Hollywood remake. That is always the danger with a timeless masterpiece like this.
Jan M.
says
Brian G.'s wife
says
Hmm. Seems to have dated since we saw it in the 60's.Rather stilted, and B&W of course. It shows a distinct change of male/female dynamics since that time, though the male/male dominance is still alive and well. One thing always fascinates me -- where is the fun in owning a yacht?
Patrick E.
says
Actually I'm biased I love great directors but Polanski's first film is not for everybody - it's polish is subtitled & it's in black & white, but the look of it is just astounding. It takes us to another world, so the absurd trivialities of the 3 lone characters seem normal. His accomplishment is all the more amazing considering the difficulty he had coaxing a performance from the woman actor who was not a professional. There is an uneasy feeling I had of the imagined world outside the frame. Is it the feeling Polanski & his country had under communist rule? or is it the feeling we all have at some time alone in the natural world? The Black & White look increases the oppressive feeling of the film, as well as making it compulsive viewing.
Trevor Harrison
says
Peter Bedo
says
Suspenseful, small budget little good looking black and white film directed by a master
Michael Ostrowski
says
Very European.
How different from the mindless "chewing gum for the eyes" numbing our minds...
Kevin Spearey
says
Gustavo German
says
A bit violent. But OK.