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Knife In The Water Reviews

1962

70
from 1661 members

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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Critic's review of Knife In The Water
View all critics' reviews (4)
- Detached little melodrama in which the sex and violence hover beneath the surface. All very watchable, but in a minor key.
- 32651
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:42
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Most helpful member's review of Knife In The Water
View all members' reviews (19)
- - 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 »
  
  Report this review
- 140396
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Rehan
  - 126 reviews
  - London
  - 16 Aug 2005 at 00:05
Most recent members' reviews of Knife In The Water
View all members' reviews (19)
- - 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 »
  
  Report this review
- 999090
- - buffyrules
  - 202 reviews
  - southend on sea
  - 31 May 2011 at 15:24
- - 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 »
  
  Report this review
- 986778
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Midnightcheeseandbiscuits
  - 26 reviews
  - London
  - 27 Apr 2011 at 19:05
- - 2
  - 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 »
  
  Report this review
- 881846
- - Hellohulk
  - 20 reviews
  - Leicester
  - 10 Apr 2010 at 09:01
- - 0
  - 1
  nice but....
  
  very very good music but movie doesnt keep up with todays standards.It triggers relevant topics but the way it is shown is a bit...well...old fashioned!
  
  Report this review
- 881767
- - a customer
  - london
  - 09 Apr 2010 at 23:16
- - 2
  - 0
  Fantastic
  
  Just a great film to watch.Amazing- the use of just three actors! Beautifukky shot, amazing location. You won't like it though if you're after boobs, ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 747743
- - Kalina
  - 29 reviews
  - London
  - 24 Apr 2009 at 22:14
- - 1
  - 0
  Edgy, slow and atmospheric
  
  THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS | Show review anywayHide
  
  A noir film which appears to be made in Poland -- but basically in a boat on water. Enclosed and sometimes painfully slow. Moments of high tension -- ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 525106
- - Forpor
  - 40 reviews
  - Henley-On-Thames
  - 11 Feb 2008 at 17:56
- - 1
  - 0
  Two Specific DVD remarks
  
  This is a taut and memorable thriller, witha delicate touch and many nice film noir accents. Doesn't ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 390855
- - Pufferfyshe
  - 17 reviews
  - Oxford, England
  - 01 Dec 2006 at 13:57
- - 2
  - 0
  Genius at work
  
  I was trying to put my finger on what I found so compelling about this film after it finished and can only presume that it was ultimatley Polanski's ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 249611
- - lasseviren
  - 23 reviews
  - Bristol
  - 30 May 2006 at 10:01
- - 1
  - 0
  Interesting
  
  A simple drama, not very long which leaves you thinking - how will the husband ever interpret what the wife said? Interesting....
  
  Report this review
- 239220
- - a customer
  - Kent, England
  - 01 May 2006 at 18:14
- - 1
  - 0
  Early masterpiece
  
  One of Polanski's first films, but it's not often realised that he came to film making at quite a late age (29) considering that he is thought to have ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 208184
- - Cato
  - 589 reviews
  - Lydbury North
  - 17 Feb 2006 at 21:46
View all members' reviews (19)

- - 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 »
  
  Report this review
- 140396
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Rehan
  - 126 reviews
  - London
  - 16 Aug 2005 at 00:05
- - 4
  - 0
  well made drama
  
  More of a drama than a thriller but very well made given the logistics of shooting on a boat on a lake. Well acted and believable characters, if you enjoyed ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 5651
- - a customer
  - Reading
  - 10 May 2004 at 14:18
- - 2
  - 0
  The beginnings of genius?
  
  Polanski's first major feature, which would be considered a fairly routine thriller by today's standards I'd suggest. Good direction with a French ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 95703
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - McClennan
  - 424 reviews
  - St Helens
  - 23 Apr 2005 at 12:10
- - 2
  - 0
  Genius at work
  
  I was trying to put my finger on what I found so compelling about this film after it finished and can only presume that it was ultimatley Polanski's ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 249611
- - lasseviren
  - 23 reviews
  - Bristol
  - 30 May 2006 at 10:01
- - 2
  - 0
  Fantastic
  
  Just a great film to watch.Amazing- the use of just three actors! Beautifukky shot, amazing location. You won't like it though if you're after boobs, ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 747743
- - Kalina
  - 29 reviews
  - London
  - 24 Apr 2009 at 22:14
- - 2
  - 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 »
  
  Report this review
- 881846
- - Hellohulk
  - 20 reviews
  - Leicester
  - 10 Apr 2010 at 09:01
- - 2
  - 1
  Excellent film.
  
  Polanski's first film and a gem.
  
  Not much happens by todays standards, but it has a slow burn effect. The score is really cool.
  
  Report this review
- 319919
- - TheColonel1
  - Dorking
  - 22 Jan 2005 at 18:44
- - 2
  - 1
  Polanski's debut film
  
  Not quite what I expected (which is not a bad thing), this tense thriller is the debut from legendary director Roman Polanski.
  
  Set (and made) in ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 324320
- - Ned0
  - W.Yorks
  - 23 Feb 2005 at 17:27
- - 1
  - 0
  Early masterpiece
  
  One of Polanski's first films, but it's not often realised that he came to film making at quite a late age (29) considering that he is thought to have ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 208184
- - Cato
  - 589 reviews
  - Lydbury North
  - 17 Feb 2006 at 21:46
- - 1
  - 0
  Interesting
  
  A simple drama, not very long which leaves you thinking - how will the husband ever interpret what the wife said? Interesting....
  
  Report this review
- 239220
- - a customer
  - Kent, England
  - 01 May 2006 at 18:14

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Critics' reviews
- Detached little melodrama in which the sex and violence hover beneath the surface. All very watchable, but in a minor key.
- 32651
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:42
- Polanski's first feature, a model of economic, imaginative film-making which, in many ways, he has hardly improved... read more on Time Out
- 45933
- - Time Out
  - 04 Nov 2008 at 00:16
- "...[The film] has a taut and creepy impact, like a bug crawling up your arm..."
- 11701
- - Los Angeles Times
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:59
- "...Polanski's brilliant first feature....Still packs a punch..." -- Rating:A
- 11700
- - Entertainment Weekly
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:59

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- Knife In The Water
  
  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)....