Death Watch
Seen it?1980 | 131 min | Drama, Science Fiction
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (79% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a lukewarm 6.4 out of 10 from audiences and soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for sci-fi fans. If you loved Twelve Monkeys or The Man Who Fell to Earth, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Emotional (bring tissues), mind-bending.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 11 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
In a future world where the disease has been finally defeated and everything can be sold, even the crude spectacle of death, the rare case of a dying woman becomes the morbid theme of a revolutionary reality show, broadcast through the curious eyes of a peculiar camera.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
79% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesBelow par
6.4 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 19K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Bertrand Tavernier
- Romy SchneiderKatherine Mortenhoe
- Harvey KeitelRoddy
- Harry Dean StantonVincent Ferriman
- Thérèse LiotardTracey
- Max von SydowGerald Mortenhoe
- Caroline LangrisheGirl in the Bar
- William RussellDr. Mason
- Vadim GlownaHarry Graves
- Eva Maria MeinekeDr. Klausen
- Bernhard WickiKatherine's Dad