Klute (1971)

Director:

Alan J. Pakula

Writers:

Andy Lewis (written by) and
David P. Lewis (written by)

Release Date:

25 June 1971 (USA)

Genre:

Mystery | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

One man is missing. Two girls lie dead. ...and someone breathing on the other end of the phone. [USA Theatrical]

Plot:

A small-town detective searching for a missing man has only one lead: a connection with a New York prostitute.

Plot Keywords:

Call Girl | Stalking | Detective | Prostitute | Letter

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 5 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Jane Fonda	...	Bree Daniels
Donald Sutherland	...	John Klute
Charles Cioffi	...	Peter Cable
Roy Scheider	...	Frank Ligourin
Dorothy Tristan	...	Arlyn Page
Rita Gam	...	Trina
Nathan George	...	Det. Lt. Trask
Vivian Nathan	...	Psychiatrist
Morris Strassberg	...	Mr. Goldfarb
Barry Snider	...	Berger
Betty Murray	...	Holly Gruneman
Jane White	...	Janie Dale
Shirley Stoler	...	Momma Reese
Robert Milli	...	Tom Gruneman
Anthony Holland	...	Actor's Agent

Runtime:

114 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:M18 | Iceland:16 | West Germany:18 (original rating) | Australia:M | Canada:14+ (Ontario) | France:Unrated | USA:X (original rating) | Argentina:18 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | Norway:16 (1971) | Sweden:11 | UK:18 (video: 1988) | USA:R | Canada:18A

Filming Locations:

Filmways Studios - 246 East 127th Street, East Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Gus Productions

Trivia:

Jane Fonda's Best Actress Oscar acceptance speech for this movie was one of the shortest in movie history: "Thank you...thank you very much members of the Academy and thank all of you who applauded. There's a great deal to say and I'm not going to say it tonight, I would just like to really thank you very much."

Goofs:

Continuity: The amount of tape in the take up reel of Klute's tape recorder when he stops it and rewinds while talking on the phone with Trask.

Quotes:

Bree Daniel: You're not gonna get hung up on me, are you?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Nanny: The Passed-Over Story (#4.21)" (1997)

A 70's Gem

This is easily one of the best films of the 1970's. Jane Fonda gives her deservedly Oscar winning performance as a troubled, introspective prostitute. Her character is made real in a way few other movie roles have been. Donald Sutherland, with his stoic confidence and the quiet, voyeuristic camera work are compelling. The movie is low keyed and intelligent and doesn't resort to the sensationalist, overblown climatic finish that is so common in the mystery thrillers of today. There is an even, measured beat to this work that draws one in, the way a similar hypnotic, brooding piece of music would. I like the way it leaves you with enough loose ends regarding the central characters to keep you wondering and imagining about the course their lives might take from here, as opposed to the common tidy little ending which again is common today. If it's true that directors in Hollywood were being influenced by the European style of film making during this period, this is a true case in point and not to be missed by any true lover of great cinema.