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Death and the Maiden

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Death and the Maiden

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Summary

Drama starring Sigourney Weaver and Ben Kingsley. Paulina Escobar has survived torture under the previous military regime of an unnamed South American country, and now lives quietly with her husband Gerardo, who is to head a commission into human rights abuses. One evening, Gerardo is given a lift home by a neighbour, who Paulina recognises as her torturer.

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IMDB

Review

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Tom Hutchinson

Adapted for the screen by Rafael Yglesias and Ariel Dorfman from Dorfman's own play, this is an anguished tour de force, in which a traumatised woman turns her living room into a court to try the neighbour she believes raped and tortured her during a previous fascist dictatorship. Outstandingly well played by Sigourney Weaver and Ben Kingsley (as her possible tormentor), the effective three-hander succeeds because of a dreadful electricity sparking between the two leads, while Stuart Wilson, as her husband, tries not to get burned. Director Roman Polanski keeps it all as claustrophobic as a coffin and it is one of the most notable and deeply felt of his more recent movies.

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7.2/10

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Credits

Cast

rolenamePaulina EscobarSigourney WeaverDr Roberto MirandaBen KingsleyGerardo EscobarStuart Wilson (1)Dr Miranda's wifeKrystia MovaDr Miranda's sonRodolphe VegaString quartet playerJorge CortesString quartet managerSergio Ortega AlvaradoDr Miranda's sonJonathan VegaString quartet playerCarlos CruzString quartet playerEduardo MorenoString quartet playerGilberto Valenzuela

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Crew

rolenameDirectorRoman Polanski

Details

Theatrical distributor

Electric Pictures

Released on

1995-04-21

Languages

English

Guidance

Contains violence, swearing and nudity.

Available on

video

Formats

Colour

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