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      Death Watch

      R 1980 2 hr. 8 min. Sci-Fi Mystery & Thriller List
      73% 15 Reviews Tomatometer 59% 500+ Ratings Audience Score A producer (Harry Dean Stanton) sends a reporter (Harvey Keitel) with TV-camera eyes to interview a dying writer (Romy Schneider). Read More Read Less

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      Audience Reviews

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      David W A worryingly prescient cult classic which is beautifully acted by a wonderful cast and beautifully shot in Scotland. It's sci-fi premise is really only a hook to draw you in to, what is at heart, an interesting slow burn drama study of impending death, personal encroachment and the way the media can exploit it. Stays with you long after you watch it particularly given the way society and media has subsequently moved. Especially so if you're unlucky enough to encounter prolonged death via cancer or dementia for instance... Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/11/23 Full Review Audience Member Unbelievably draggy “science fiction” that quasi-predicted reality TV. Goes nowhere. Some nice cinematography of old buildings and fun seeing 30s Harvey Kietel and 40s Harry Dean Stanton. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 04/08/20 Full Review Audience Member Interesting pointed sci-fi that really kinda is very pertinent for today. The movie is a little slow but the cinematography and acting are top notch. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/09/19 Full Review Audience Member The sci-fi is only a cover for very interesting drama on life, encounter of the other person in their suffering and also about dying. Just like Roddy we explore Romy's last days and cannot help but be emphatic about her struggle. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Audience Member Future sci-fi in current look. Harvey Keitel Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member This European science fiction story reminded me in many ways of Fassbinder's "World on a Wire," the starkness, the deliberate pacing, and the art house pretensions all within a clever sci-fi premiss. However, Fassbinder made his film engaging, suspenseful and also thought provoking. This film, while thought provoking, is dreadfully dull. The story here has TV producer Harry Dead Stanton sending reporter Harvey Keitel (who has camera implants in his eyes with special x-ray properties) to interview a dying writer, Romy Schneider. The film does pose interesting questions about privacy and independence in a society where both are eroding. This topic is made all the more interesting and prescient today, in the age of Google Glass and social media. Unfortunately, the film moves as a leadened pace and is populated with uninvolving characters, despite three strong actors in the leads, along with Max Von Sydow in a supporting role. This film does have it's defenders, but I found it pretentious and dull, though it may be that I'm just not a fan of writer/director Bertrand Tavernier, whose only film I've ever liked was "Coup de torchon." Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Critics Reviews

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      Walter Goodman New York Times At almost two overwritten hours of overacting, it's a long time dying. Jan 9, 2018 Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian It is a prescient but lugubrious sci-fi satire about reality television, though a more low-key satire can hardly be imagined. Rated: 3/5 Jun 1, 2012 Full Review David Jenkins Little White Lies Romy Schneider positively sizzles while the atmosphere remains suitably chilly. Rated: 4/5 May 31, 2012 Full Review Adam Lippe Examiner.com Tavernier slips in subtle touches that seem meaningless and would normally have a big circle around it and an arrow pointing at it and saying "look at me, I'm important," but instead reinforce the droning, impersonal nature of this particular society. Aug 27, 2012 Full Review Philip French Observer (UK) It's an exciting tale about self-respect and personal autonomy in a society where privacy and personal identity are being steadily eroded and it's as topical today as when it was made. Jun 3, 2012 Full Review Shaun Munro What Culture Much like Lumet's Network, Death Watch grows only more unsettling as the years pass. Rated: 4/5 Jun 1, 2012 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis A producer (Harry Dean Stanton) sends a reporter (Harvey Keitel) with TV-camera eyes to interview a dying writer (Romy Schneider).
      Director
      Bertrand Tavernier
      Screenwriter
      David Rayfiel
      Production Co
      Films A2
      Rating
      R
      Genre
      Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Aug 29, 2013
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