The Death Sentence
The Death Sentence

Movie spotlight

The Death Sentence

1980
Movie
105 min
Polish

A spy thriller set in 1943 when the Polish Resistance was killing SS- officers and collaborators in Lublin and Zamosc. Polish hitman romances with "officer's lady" while he is setting up her boyfriend for his sentence of death. In the end, he loses out to a collaborator living next door.

Insights

IMDb6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes55%
Director: Alan J. PakulaGenres: Drama, Thriller, Mystery

Plot Summary

A successful architect's life is shattered when his wife and daughter are killed in a boating accident. Plagued by guilt and paranoia, he begins to suspect that the accident was no accident and that he is being targeted. As he delves deeper into the mystery, he uncovers a conspiracy that threatens his own life.

Critical Reception

While 'The Death Sentence' garnered a mixed-to-positive reception upon its release, it is often seen as a somewhat overlooked thriller from director Alan J. Pakula. Critics praised its tense atmosphere and Robert Redford's performance, but some found the plot convoluted. Audiences were generally appreciative of the suspenseful elements.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its suspenseful build-up and Robert Redford's compelling portrayal of a man under duress.

  • Criticized by some for a plot that becomes overly complicated and difficult to follow.

  • A well-crafted thriller that effectively creates an atmosphere of paranoia.

Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews and their sentiment breakdown for 'The Death Sentence (1980)' is not readily available in public archives.

Awards & Accolades

None notable.

Fun Fact

The film was originally intended to be a more straightforward adaptation of the novel 'Presumed Innocent' before its plot and characters were significantly altered during production.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review