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Licensed to Kill

Play trailer Poster for Licensed to Kill 1997 1h 20m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 13 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
In this documentary, homosexual filmmaker Arthur Dong interviews men who were imprisoned for slaying gays. Dong, who was physically attacked because of his own sexuality in the 1970s, tries to ascertain the convicts' motives -- why they would commit such heinous crimes. Some prisoners express remorse for their acts of violence, while others believe the murders they committed were justified. The interviewees include a U.S. military officer, a devout Christian and a petty thief.

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Licensed to Kill

Critics Reviews

View All (13) Critics Reviews
Nick Charles New York Daily News Disturbing, unflinching and brilliant. Rated: 3.5/4 Jun 9, 2020 Full Review Russell Smith Austin Chronicle The almost clinical restraint of Dong's Sundance and Berlin Film Festival award-winner only enhances its staggering emotional impact. Rated: 3.5/5 Jun 9, 2020 Full Review Emanuel Levy Variety Offering a harrowing and disturbing look at homophobia and anti-gay violence, Dong's courageous docu, winner of 2 major awards at the 1997 Sundance Fest, is an intelligent exploration of sexual prejudice and hatred in contemporay American society. Rated: B+ Feb 14, 2007 Full Review Mark J. Huisman The Advocate [Director Arthur Dong's] simple focus on our killers gives the film undeniable power. Jun 1, 2022 Full Review Andy Klein New Times The chill and fear it generates are more genuine than the 1989 James Bond film its name evokes. Jun 9, 2020 Full Review Richard von Busack MetroActive Licensed to Kill is a real achievement, especially since Dong didn't lose his perspective -- he hates the crime, but not the criminals, and he pins the blame where it belongs. Jun 9, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (4) audience reviews
Audience Member Documentary gives an interesting view in the mind of killers who attack gay people Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member One of the most powerful documentaries I have seen. And very sad too how religion still pays a very strong part of killing innocent people. That, ignorance, and/or homophobia. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Audience Member Obviously picked the wrong movie here, it was meant to be Bond Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Audience Member This movie had potential, but fell through the cracks. To bad. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Licensed to Kill

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Cast & Crew

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Arthur Dong

Director

Arthur Dong

Producer

Arthur Dong

Writer

Robert Shepard

Cinematographer

Arthur Dong

Art Director

Miriam Cutler

Original Music
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Licensed to Kill

Licensed to Kill (1997) Licensed to Kill (1997) Licensed to Kill (1997) Licensed to Kill (1997) Licensed to Kill (1997) Licensed to Kill (1997) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In this documentary, homosexual filmmaker Arthur Dong interviews men who were imprisoned for slaying gays. Dong, who was physically attacked because of his own sexuality in the 1970s, tries to ascertain the convicts' motives -- why they would commit such heinous crimes. Some prisoners express remorse for their acts of violence, while others believe the murders they committed were justified. The interviewees include a U.S. military officer, a devout Christian and a petty thief.
Director
Arthur Dong
Producer
Arthur Dong
Screenwriter
Arthur Dong
Production Co
DeepFocus Productions Inc., P.O.V.
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (DVD)
Jun 14, 2005
Runtime
1h 20m
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