Knife in the Water (1962): Cast & Plot
Knife in the Water is a 1962 drama thriller starring Leon Niemczyk as Andrzej, Anna Ciepielewska and Roman Polanski. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 34m (94 min)
- Original language
-
Polish - Studio
- Zespół Filmowy "Kamera"
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Knife in the Water About?
The premise of Knife in the Water without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
On a lake outing, husband Andrzej and wife Krystyna almost run down a hitchhiker and invite him onto their boat. Andrzej subtly antagonizes the stranger, who in turn makes advances toward Krystyna. After the hitchhiker is knocked overboard, Andrzej’s panic triggers unforeseen consequences.
Knife in the Water Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- hitchhiker
- knife
- sailing
- sailboat
- lake
- ambiguous ending
- rivalry
- jealousy
- adultery
- directorial debut
- swimming
- man overboard
+38 more Show fewer
- tension
- competition
- implied casual sex
- rival
- dysfunctional marriage
- husband wife relationship
- machismo
- taunting
- college student
- aggression
- switchblade
- humiliation
- bare chested male
- alpha male
- sexuality
- crossroads
- hitchhiking
- university student
- buoy
- woman wears a bikini
- asserting dominance
- psychological drama
- woman slaps a man
- prized possession
- knife throwing
- fistfight
- sexual tension
- adulterous wife
- voyeur
- falling into water
- driving a car
- lust
- argument
- lie
- class differences
- presumed dead
- writer
- anecdote
Knife in the Water Cast & Characters
Leon Niemczyk leads the cast as Andrzej, with Anna Ciepielewska as Krystyna (voice) and Roman Polanski as Young Man (voice).
- Leon Niemczyk as Andrzej
- Anna Ciepielewska as Krystyna (voice)
-
Roman Polanski as Young Man (voice) - Zygmunt Malanowicz as Young Man
Also Starring in Knife in the Water
· 1 more- Jolanta Umecka Krystyna
Knife in the Water Plot Summary
What happens in Knife in the Water from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
On a quiet drive to a lake for a sailing day, Andrzej and Krystyna pick up a hitchhiking stranger, a tense moment that shifts the course of their afternoon. The encounter begins with the near-miss on the road, but Andrzej chooses to invite the young man aboard, and when they reach the lake, the invitation extends to sailing together rather than leaving him behind. The newcomer, who has little experience with sailing, must learn under the stern guidance of Andrzej, setting the stage for a slow-burn dynamic between the two men.
Full summary
The whole story of Knife in the Water, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Knife in the Water?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
Who are the married couple that pick up the hitchhiker?
Knife in the Water Also Known As
21 alternative titles, including “El cuchillo bajo el agua” and “Le couteau dans l'eau”.
- Also known as
-
- El cuchillo bajo el agua
- Le couteau dans l'eau
- Das Messer im Wasser
- Il coltello nell'acqua
- El cuchillo en el agua
- Faca na Água
- Μαχαίρι Στο Νερό
- סכין במים
- A Faca na Água
- Nůž ve vodě
- 水中刀
- Mes in het Water
+9 more Show fewer
- Kés a vízben
- Нож в воде
- Нож във водата
- Kniven i vattnet
- 물속의 칼
- Sudaki Bıçak
- Peilis vandenyje
- Ніж у воді
- 水の中のナイフ
Seen Knife in the Water?
Movies Like Knife in the Water
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Hitch Hike, The Knife and Under Still Waters.
Knife in the Water FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, cast, post-credit scenes and language of Knife in the Water, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Knife in the Water?
Knife in the Water runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).
When was Knife in the Water released?
Knife in the Water was released on March 9, 1962.
Who is in the cast of Knife in the Water?
Knife in the Water stars Leon Niemczyk as Andrzej, Anna Ciepielewska as Krystyna (voice) and Roman Polanski as Young Man (voice), among 5 credited actors.
Does Knife in the Water have a post-credit scene?
No. Knife in the Water has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Knife in the Water in?
The original language of Knife in the Water is Polish.
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