IMDb > Nóz w wodzie (1962)

Nóz w wodzie (1962) More at IMDbPro »


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Overview

User Rating:
7.6/10   5,880 votes
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Up 12% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Jakub Goldberg (writer)
Roman Polanski (writer)
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Contact:
View company contact information for Knife in the Water on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
28 October 1963 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
On their way to a sailing trip, an aging husband and wife invite along an emphatic young hitchhiker out of sheer patronization. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(10 articles)
Polanski's Pardon? Not So Fast
 (From Huffington Post. 3 October 2009, 11:23 AM, PDT)

This Roman Polanski Chatter is Simply Out of Control
 (From Rope Of Silicon. 28 September 2009, 11:46 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
Lubricated Blade more (66 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)
Leon Niemczyk ... Andrzej
Jolanta Umecka ... Krystyna
Zygmunt Malanowicz ... Young Boy
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Knife in the Water (USA)
Nóż w wodzie (Poland)
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Runtime:
94 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The couple's car, seen in the opening and closing sequences, was initially supposed to be a Mercedes, but this was replaced with a Peugeot during filming to avoid political controversy. (The more expensive car was perceived as an icon of Western luxury and decadence). During the shots, a prominent party member arrived at the plan in the newest model of Mercedes. He was invited by the whole crew with peals of laughter. more
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: When the young boy is trying to stabilize the Christine by hanging off its side, you can see the railing of the camera boat in the lower left-hand corner of the screen. more
Movie Connections:

FAQ

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30 out of 38 people found the following comment useful.
Lubricated Blade, 20 January 2005
Author: tedg (tedg@FilmsFolded.com) from Virginia Beach

There is nothing more thrilling than discovering a natural filmmaker for the first time. There are only so many, and you can only have menarche once. Its an introduction into another life.

I first saw this in 1965 at the Orson Welles Cinema near Harvard Square. We were told it was made behind the backs of Iron Curtain thugs, only surviving because of international attention. (I wouldn't meet Tarkovsky or Kieslowski until later.) And that it was made by the fellow who had made the striking "Repulsion," which at that time was anticipated but yet unseen in the States.

I've since learned some striking things: that both Polanski and his co-writer wanted to play the hitchhiker and indeed it is Polanski's voice. And that the mistress who seems only half alive was in fact played by a non-actress they found by looking at swimming pools. Also that the situation was suggested by a long planned and discussed Orson Welles project ("The Deep") that was started after this and never completed.

The writing is good of course, especially the central image the title denotes, but the camera finds the perfect place always. It is like Altman's camera (after this) that discovers the action rather than, say Spielberg's where the action is obviously happening in such a way to be cleanly seen by the camera. And so much harder on a boat!

But the interesting thing about such an introduction to a filmmaker is the relationship that follows: we know certain things about how he thinks and sees. We expect the conversation to continue and mature over the years. And what a rocky ride this man has taken us on, through perfectly created worlds (in which I include "Ninth Gate") but also through pure dreck and rank sentimentality (both of which tag "The Pianist").

Sometimes he's internal to the narrative, even the charmed actor. Sometimes he is outside the narrative, pulling strings (as with this film) but sometimes it is clear he never got out of bed.

As with Kubrick and so many others, you really must start at the beginning, which essentially means here.

Ted's Evaluation -- 3 of 3: Worth watching.

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Comparisons to 'Dead Calm'? kathy-bernard
Jolanta Umecka (Krystyna) - - Perfect (Mis)-Casting??? axis12002
Why did he lie about swimming? Pearl_Jade
Polanski's Best? jackstraw901
Can't shake this feeling.... samoscratch
Christ symbolism in this movie Buddy-51
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