La mort en direct (1980)

Director:

Bertrand Tavernier

Writers:

David Compton (novel)
David Rayfiel (writer)

Release Date:

April 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

She's the target of every eye...including eyes only science could create.

Plot:

Roddy has a camera implanted in his brain. He is then hired by a television producer to film a documentary of terminally ill Katherine...

Plot Keywords:

Television | Hidden Camera | Fictional Reality Show | Terminal Illness | Future

Awards:

1 win & 6 nominations

Cast

Romy Schneider	...	Katherine Mortenhoe
Harvey Keitel	...	Roddy
Harry Dean Stanton	...	Vincent Ferriman
Thérèse Liotard	...	Tracey
Max von Sydow	...	Gerald Mortenhoe (as Max Von Sydow)
Caroline Langrishe	...	Girl in the Bar
William Russell	...	Dr.Mason (as William Russel)
Vadim Glowna	...	Harry Graves
Eva Maria Meineke	...	Dr.Klausen
Bernhard Wicki	...	Katherine's Dad (as Bernard Wicki)
Freddie Boardley	...	Technician
Robbie Coltrane	...	Limosine driver
Julian Hough	...	Young doctor
Peter Kelly	...	Technician
Boyd Nelson	...	Policeman

Also Known As:

Death Watch (UK) (USA)
Death Watch - Der gekaufte Tod (West Germany)
Death in Full View
Deathwatch (USA)
Der gekaufte Tod (West Germany)

Runtime:

128 min

Country:

France | West Germany | UK

Language:

English | French | German

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-12 | UK:15 (video rating) (1988) | UK:AA (original rating) | USA:PG | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland, UK

Company:

Films A2

Trivia:

At one point of the film, the character played by Max von Sydow tells some historical facts about the Medieval French composer Robert De Bauleac while listening to one of his work on a record player. When the film was released, a good number of music lovers tried to get a copy of the very same record in specialized stores which could never provide any for a very good reason: Robert De Bauleac has never existed and the composition heard in the film is none other than Antoine Duhamel's work. However the concerned peace of music, "Robert De Bauleac's Lament", has been since available as part of the complete movie soundtrack.

Quotes:

Katherine Mortenhoe: Everything's of interest, but nothing matters.

Movie Connections:

References The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)

An under-appreciated, influential gem of a movie...

In what is said to be a tragically prophetic role, Romy Schneider gives a superb performance as a dying woman at the mercy of a voyeuristic society presided over by a greedy television executive (coldly played by the brilliant Harry Dean Stanton). Also of note is an elegant cameo by the legendary Max von Sydow.

Why this movie has yet to get a rerelease is entirely beyond me. It doesn't help that it's nearly impossible to find in terms of both rental and sale. If you are able to track it down, then do not pass up the chance to see it.