Roman Polanski's first feature-length film is a suspenseful three-person chamber drama reminiscent of the work of Ingmar Bergman. The action takes place almost entirely within the confined setting of a sailboat owned by a wealthy journalist (Leon Niemczyk) and his much younger wife (Jolanta Umecka). On their way to the lake for .. Read more
| Starring | Leon Niemczyk, Jolanta Umecka, Zygmunt Malanowicz |
|---|---|
| Director | Roman Polanski |
| Genres | Thriller, World Cinema |
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Roman Polanski's first feature-length film is a suspenseful three-person chamber drama reminiscent of the work of Ingmar Bergman. The action takes place almost entirely within the confined setting of a sailboat owned by a wealthy journalist (Leon Niemczyk) and his much younger wife (Jolanta Umecka). On their way to the lake for a weekend of sailing, they are accosted by a young hitchhiker (Zygmunt Malanowicz) who jumps in front of their car, forcing them to stop. Annoyed by the youth's daredevil posturing, the journalist nevertheless decides to invite him to join the couple on their boat, initiating a series of playfully competitive games between the two men. Playfulness soon gives way to hostility, however, as each tries to outshine and humiliate the other in front of the woman, who appears to be taking a more than casual interest in her husband's young rival. KNIFE IN THE WATER was filmed in the director's native Poland and financed through government subsidies. Although denounced upon its release by local authorities as devoid of any significant social or political content, the film caused a minor sensation in the West, was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Foreign Film, and even made the cover of Time magazine.
| Starring | Leon Niemczyk, Jolanta Umecka, Zygmunt Malanowicz |
|---|---|
| Director | Roman Polanski |
| Studio | DB MUSIC |
| Original title | Nóz w wodzie |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 34 mins |
| Certificate |  |
| Genres | Thriller, World Cinema |
| Language | DVD: Polish |
| Released | Production year: 1962 To Rent: DVD: 25 Aug 2003 |
Detached little melodrama in which the sex and violence hover beneath the surface. All very watchable, but in a minor key.
- 19
- 0
Austere early masterpiece
An austere monochrome early masterpiece of Polanski's, made in a tense and minimalist setting of a small sailboat with only three actors.
The ... read more »
[Highly rated reviewer]
- 1
- 0
Compelling All The Way
Polanski has had an interesting career to say the least-his first feature is very engrossing and unlike his other films has a very theatrical mood and could ... read more »
- 1
- 0
Why did the seaman jump on broken glass?
Shot through with enough emotional electricity to rival Bergman’s finest work, Polanski’s claustrophobic first feature is nothing short of a ... read more »
[Highly rated reviewer]
- 1
- 0
Simple story, well executed
This film shows early signs of Polanski's genius, and provides a deceptively simple tale that is well worth a watch.
It involves 3 characters: a ... read more »
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