Licensed to Kill

1997

1h 20m

Documentary

List

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.

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

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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

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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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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