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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

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Nick Charles New York Daily News 06/09/2020
3.5/4
Disturbing, unflinching and brilliant. Go to Full Review Russell Smith Austin Chronicle 06/09/2020
3.5/5
The almost clinical restraint of Dong's Sundance and Berlin Film Festival award-winner only enhances its staggering emotional impact. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy Variety 02/14/2007
B+
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. Go to Full Review Mark J. Huisman The Advocate 06/01/2022
[Director Arthur Dong's] simple focus on our killers gives the film undeniable power. Go to Full Review Andy Klein New Times 06/09/2020
The chill and fear it generates are more genuine than the 1989 James Bond film its name evokes. Go to Full Review Richard von Busack MetroActive 06/09/2020
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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03/16/2009 Documentary gives an interesting view in the mind of killers who attack gay people See more 11/11/2007 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. See more 11/05/2007 Obviously picked the wrong movie here, it was meant to be Bond See more 09/22/2006 This movie had potential, but fell through the cracks. To bad. See more 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) 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
P.O.V., DeepFocus Productions Inc.
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (DVD)
Jun 14, 2005
Runtime
1h 20m
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