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Memories Of Murder Details

2003 Certificate 15
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 2324 members

This shocking tale is designed to repulse viewers, chiefly because it's based on a horrific true story. Following the activities of South Korea's first serial killer, MEMORIES OF MURDER tracks the gruesome events through the eyes of the two detectives investigating the case. The murders unfolded in 1986, a time when South Korea .. Read more

Starring Song Kang-ho, Sang-Kyung Kim, Roe-Ha Kim, Jae-Ho Song
Director Bong Joon-ho
Genres Drama, World Cinema

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Memories Of Murder

This shocking tale is designed to repulse viewers, chiefly because it's based on a horrific true story. Following the activities of South Korea's first serial killer, MEMORIES OF MURDER tracks the gruesome events through the eyes of the two detectives investigating the case. The murders unfolded in 1986, a time when South Korea fell under the watchful eye of a military dictatorship, meaning that technological advances were scant, and the detectives had precious little evidence to work from. The victims were all women from various age ranges, and all were raped and slain by the killer. This dramatic reconstruction of events makes for compulsive viewing, and harks back to a time when the innocence of South Korea's citizens was truly shattered.

Starring Song Kang-ho, Sang-Kyung Kim, Roe-Ha Kim, Jae-Ho Song
Director Bong Joon-ho
Studio OPTIMUM HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time DVD: 2 hrs 11 mins
Certificate Certificate 15
Genres Drama, World Cinema
Language DVD: Korean
Subtitles DVD: English
Released DVD: 24 Jan 2005
Production year: 2003
Format DVD
  • Critics' reviews (3) of Memories Of Murder

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  • 3 stars out of 5

    Bong Joon-ho's simmering police procedural is inspired by the unsolved crimes of South Korea's first serial killer. The investigation brings together impulsive small-town cop Song Kang-ho and his city superior, Kim Sang-kyung, and it's their relationship that provides the focus here as much as the search for the rapist who has claimed ten victims on a sadistic killing spree. Initially, there's a comic edge to the town versus country posturing, as Song tries to frame a local man with learning difficulties. But the tone grows darker once female officer Koh Seo-hee establishes a link with a radio request show and Kim begins to succumb to the pressures of making an arrest.

    • Radio Times
  • A huge critical and commercial success in Korea, Bong's film fictionalises the search for the country's first... read more on Time Out

    • Time Out
  • Most helpful member's review of Memories Of Murder

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  • 18 out of 25 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    R is for realism.

    Based on the true story of the first serial killings in Korea, Memories of murder is a perfect blend of gritty realism, dark humour and excellent performances which help to create a movie going experience which feels both fresh and original.

    The three detectives that we follow on this dark journey are so well performed that it's hard to believe that they are not real detectives doing a spot of acting on the side. You truly believe in the fact that the Korean task force are clearly not prepared for a murder spree of this magnitude, some of their methods of detection are embarrassing at best and that's where the humour comes in to it. Two of our three leads will stop at nothing in order to crack the case, while the other, a more experienced detctive from Seoul, contrast beautifully even if the end results are equally unproductive.

    There's no over blown theatrics here, similar in tone to Nowhere to Hide, it's the attention to realism which will have you hooked. Right up until the low key, bleak and rather touching ending. Memories of Murder is a film worth watching.

      • adiw from Leicestershire
  • Most recent members' review of Memories Of Murder

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  • 3 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    really good

    something completely different, bound to get a re-make in hollywood. the ending is a brilliant realisation of the fact that the real horror of evil is how banal it can be. but before you get there the script never fails to entertain. especially the double act of the two local cops who think that beating a confession out of somebody equals solving the case. the camera work is also fabulous.

      • justin hooper from london uk
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Rating breakdown

2,324 Member ratings
  • 100
266
  • 90
272
  • 80
579
  • 70
439
  • 60
386
  • 50
177
  • 40
87
  • 30
49
  • 20
50
  • 10
19

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    • This shocking tale is designed to repulse viewers, chiefly because it's based on a horrific true story. Following the activities of South Korea's first serial killer, MEMORIES OF MURDER tracks the ...