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A Short Film About Killing

Original title: Krótki film o zabijaniu
  • 19881988
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 24min
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
19K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Krótki film o zabijaniu (1988)
CrimeDrama

A soon-to-be lawyer crosses his path with a taxi driver and a young sinister man.A soon-to-be lawyer crosses his path with a taxi driver and a young sinister man.A soon-to-be lawyer crosses his path with a taxi driver and a young sinister man.

IMDb RATING
8.0/10
19K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Krzysztof Kieslowski
  • Writers
    • Krzysztof Kieslowski
    • Krzysztof Piesiewicz
  • Stars
    • Miroslaw Baka
    • Krzysztof Globisz
    • Jan Tesarz
Top credits
  • Director
    • Krzysztof Kieslowski
  • Writers
    • Krzysztof Kieslowski
    • Krzysztof Piesiewicz
  • Stars
    • Miroslaw Baka
    • Krzysztof Globisz
    • Jan Tesarz
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 54User reviews
    • 51Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 7 wins & 3 nominations

    Photos33

    Krótki film o zabijaniu (1988)
    Krótki film o zabijaniu (1988)
    Krótki film o zabijaniu (1988)
    Krótki film o zabijaniu (1988)
    Miroslaw Baka in Krótki film o zabijaniu (1988)
    Krótki film o zabijaniu (1988)
    Miroslaw Baka and Krzysztof Globisz in Krótki film o zabijaniu (1988)
    Krzysztof Globisz in Krótki film o zabijaniu (1988)
    Miroslaw Baka in Krótki film o zabijaniu (1988)
    Krótki film o zabijaniu (1988)
    Jan Tesarz in Krótki film o zabijaniu (1988)
    Miroslaw Baka in Krótki film o zabijaniu (1988)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Miroslaw Baka
    Miroslaw Baka
    • Jacekas Jacek
    Krzysztof Globisz
    Krzysztof Globisz
    • Piotras Piotr
    Jan Tesarz
    Jan Tesarz
    • Taksówkarzas Taksówkarz
    Zbigniew Zapasiewicz
    Zbigniew Zapasiewicz
    • Przewodniczacy Komisjias Przewodniczacy Komisji
    Barbara Dziekan
    Barbara Dziekan
    • Bileterkaas Bileterka
    Aleksander Bednarz
    Aleksander Bednarz
    • Katas Kat
    Jerzy Zass
    • Naczelnikas Naczelnik
    Zdzislaw Tobiasz
    • Sedziaas Sedzia
    Artur Barcis
    Artur Barcis
    • Mlody medczyznaas Mlody medczyzna
    Krystyna Janda
    Krystyna Janda
    • Dorotaas Dorota
    Olgierd Lukaszewicz
    Olgierd Lukaszewicz
    • Andrzejas Andrzej
    Leonard Andrzejewski
    Leonard Andrzejewski
    • Kumpel pijanego na postoju taksówekas Kumpel pijanego na postoju taksówek
    • (as L. Andrzejewski)
    Wieslaw Bednarz
      Zbigniew Borek
        Wladyslaw Byrdy
          Ryszard W. Borsucki
            Andrzej Gawronski
            Andrzej Gawronski
              Henryk Guzek
                • Director
                  • Krzysztof Kieslowski
                • Writers
                  • Krzysztof Kieslowski
                  • Krzysztof Piesiewicz
                • All cast & crew
                • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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                Storyline

                Edit
                The plot couldn't be simpler or its attack on capital punishment (and the act of killing in general) more direct - a senseless, violent, almost botched murder is followed by a cold, calculated, flawlessly performed execution (both killings shown in the most graphic detail imaginable), while the murderer's idealistic young defence lawyer ends up as an unwilling accessory to the judicial murder of his client. —Michael Brooke <michael@everyman.demon.co.uk>
                communist polandkillingattorneypassing bar examkiller71 more
                • Plot summary
                • Plot synopsis
                • Genres
                  • Crime
                  • Drama
                • Certificate
                  • Not Rated
                • Parents guide

                Did you know

                Edit
                • Trivia
                  Kieslowski's graphic depiction of the effects of violence so shook up the Polish authorities that they declared a five year moratorium on capital punishment.
                • Quotes

                  Jacek Lazar: I didn't listen in court, not until you called to me. They were all... all against me.

                  Piotr Balicki: Against what you did.

                  Jacek Lazar: Same thing...

                • Connections
                  Edited into Histoire(s) du cinéma: Une histoire seule (1989)
                • Soundtracks
                  Opowiem ci o lwie (I will tell you about a lion)
                  Lyrics by Wanda Chotomska and music by Wlodzimierz Korcz

                User reviews54

                Review
                Top review
                8/10
                One of the greatest films ever made!
                Kieslowski made a wonderful film. He made this film because he didn't agree with the death penalty in Poland at the time. This philosophical movie has : a great leading role (by Baka), great directing (Kieslowski) and great scenario (Kieslowski with Piesiewicz). This move has been made for TV but along with another parts of "The Decalogue". In 2005 the "Time Magazine" gave this film a title "One of the 100 greatest films ever made" (of course along with another nine of the "Decalogue"). Kieslowski became one of the best polish and European producers and directors. Miroslaw Baka and Krzysztof Globisz (great!) became very popular actors. This film is for anyone who likes strong film, not highly overloaded by special effects but unforgettable.
                helpful•10
                5
                • snakepitt
                • May 23, 2005

                Details

                Edit
                • Release date
                  • August 11, 1995 (United States)
                • Country of origin
                  • Poland
                • Language
                  • Polish
                • Also known as
                  • Ein kurzer Film über das Töten
                • Filming locations
                  • Poland
                • Production companies
                  • Przedsiebiorstwo Realizacji Filmów "Zespoly Filmowe"
                  • Wytwórnia Filmów Dokumentalnych (Warszawa)
                  • Zespol Filmowy "Tor"
                • See more company credits at IMDbPro

                Technical specs

                Edit
                • Runtime
                  • 1h 24min
                • Color
                  • Color
                • Sound mix
                  • Mono
                • Aspect ratio
                  • 1.66 : 1

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