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Death Watch

Play trailer Poster for Death Watch R 1980 2h 8m Sci-Fi Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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79% Tomatometer 14 Reviews 60% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
A producer (Harry Dean Stanton) sends a reporter (Harvey Keitel) with TV-camera eyes to interview a dying writer (Romy Schneider).

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Death Watch

Critics Reviews

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Walter Goodman New York Times 01/09/2018
At almost two overwritten hours of overacting, it's a long time dying. Go to Full Review
Peter Bradshaw Guardian 06/01/2012
3/5
It is a prescient but lugubrious sci-fi satire about reality television, though a more low-key satire can hardly be imagined. Go to Full Review
David Jenkins Little White Lies 05/31/2012
4/5
Romy Schneider positively sizzles while the atmosphere remains suitably chilly. Go to Full Review
Adam Lippe Examiner.com 08/27/2012
Tavernier slips in subtle touches that seem meaningless and would normally have a big circle around it and an arrow pointing at it and saying "look at me, I'm important," but instead reinforce the droning, impersonal nature of this particular society. Go to Full Review
Philip French Observer (UK) 06/03/2012
It's an exciting tale about self-respect and personal autonomy in a society where privacy and personal identity are being steadily eroded and it's as topical today as when it was made. Go to Full Review
Shaun Munro What Culture 06/01/2012
4/5
Much like Lumet's Network, Death Watch grows only more unsettling as the years pass. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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David W @Sternhammer 05/11/2023 A worryingly prescient cult classic which is beautifully acted by a wonderful cast and beautifully shot in Scotland. It's sci-fi premise is really only a hook to draw you in to, what is at heart, an interesting slow burn drama study of impending death, personal encroachment and the way the media can exploit it. Stays with you long after you watch it particularly given the way society and media has subsequently moved. Especially so if you're unlucky enough to encounter prolonged death via cancer or dementia for instance... See more 04/08/2020 Unbelievably draggy “science fiction” that quasi-predicted reality TV. Goes nowhere. Some nice cinematography of old buildings and fun seeing 30s Harvey Kietel and 40s Harry Dean Stanton. See more 01/29/2019 Interesting pointed sci-fi that really kinda is very pertinent for today. The movie is a little slow but the cinematography and acting are top notch. See more 10/18/2017 The sci-fi is only a cover for very interesting drama on life, encounter of the other person in their suffering and also about dying. Just like Roddy we explore Romy's last days and cannot help but be emphatic about her struggle. See more 06/03/2017 Future sci-fi in current look. Harvey Keitel See more 04/19/2017 This European science fiction story reminded me in many ways of Fassbinder's "World on a Wire," the starkness, the deliberate pacing, and the art house pretensions all within a clever sci-fi premiss. However, Fassbinder made his film engaging, suspenseful and also thought provoking. This film, while thought provoking, is dreadfully dull. The story here has TV producer Harry Dead Stanton sending reporter Harvey Keitel (who has camera implants in his eyes with special x-ray properties) to interview a dying writer, Romy Schneider. The film does pose interesting questions about privacy and independence in a society where both are eroding. This topic is made all the more interesting and prescient today, in the age of Google Glass and social media. Unfortunately, the film moves as a leadened pace and is populated with uninvolving characters, despite three strong actors in the leads, along with Max Von Sydow in a supporting role. This film does have it's defenders, but I found it pretentious and dull, though it may be that I'm just not a fan of writer/director Bertrand Tavernier, whose only film I've ever liked was "Coup de torchon." See more Read all reviews
Death Watch

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Movie Info

Synopsis A producer (Harry Dean Stanton) sends a reporter (Harvey Keitel) with TV-camera eyes to interview a dying writer (Romy Schneider).
Director
Bertrand Tavernier
Producer
Gabriel Boustani, Janine Rubeiz
Screenwriter
David Rayfiel
Production Co
Films A2
Rating
R
Genre
Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 29, 2013
Runtime
2h 8m
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