Death Watch (1980)

In a future where dying of illness is exceedingly rare, a terminally ill woman becomes a celebrity and a man with camera implants goes to secretly record her for a morbid TV show.

Director:

Bertrand Tavernier

Writers:

David Compton (novel), David Rayfiel

Stars:

Romy Schneider, Harvey Keitel, Harry Dean Stanton

1 win & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Roddy has a camera implanted in his brain. He is then hired by a television Producer to film a documentary of terminally ill Katherine, without her knowledge. His footage will then be run on the popular television series, "Death Watch".

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Plot Keywords:

reality tv production | remarriage | fictional reality show | near future | 1980s | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

At one point of the film, Gerald Mortenhoe (Max von Sydow) tells some historical facts about the Medieval French Composer Robert De Bauleac, while listening to one of his works on a record player. When the film was released, numerous music lovers tried to get a copy of the 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 Antoine Duhamel's work. However, the concerned piece of music, "Robert De Bauleac's Lament", has been since available as part of the complete movie soundtrack.

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Quotes

Roddy: A toy to end all toys.

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Crazy Credits

Harvey Keitel wears a Seiko watch.

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Connections

Referenced in Speaking Parts (1989)

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Soundtracks

Roddy's Progress
Written by Antoine Duhamel, Produced by Gabriel Boustiani
Performed by The London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Harry Rabinowitz

User Reviews

cult movie shot in Glasgow- Scotland in 1979

This film was shot in my home town, Glasgow, in 1979. Since then it has rarely been seen and indeed I only saw it myself for the first time this year. Our local arthouse cinema, the Glasgow Film Theatre, screened a one off presentation of what was alleged to be the last print in existence. Though the print itself was old and worn the film blew me away with its futuristic storyline, fantastic cast and phenomenal locations. It captures Glasgow as it was in the late 70's just before a period of great changes in the landscape of the city. Tavernier skillfully uses an environment that is full of eery imagery - graveyards, cranes and an industrial landscape that is grinding to a halt. The film also depicts a society fascinated with death. Harvey Keitel is excellent as the human camera that allows society the ultimate act of voyeurism - watching someone die on TV. Awesome. Someone, somewhere please commission

Details

Country:

France West Germany

Language:

French English German

Release Date:

April 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Death Watch

Filming Locations:

Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Castle Street, Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Films A2, Gaumont International, Little Bear

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1