Winter Kills (1977)

86% of critics liked it
(14 reviews)
49% of users liked it
(814 ratings)

Based on a novel by the iconoclastic Richard Condon (of Manchurian Candidate and Prizzi's Honor fame), Winter Kills was one of the vanguard efforts in the "JFK conspiracy" school of literature. Jeff Bridges stars as Nick Kegan, the scion of a powerful Kennedyesque family, who has done his best to… More Based on a novel by the iconoclastic Richard Condon (of Manchurian Candidate and Prizzi's Honor fame), Winter Kills was one of the vanguard efforts in the "JFK conspiracy" school of literature. Jeff Bridges stars as Nick Kegan, the scion of a powerful Kennedyesque family, who has done his best to make himself obscure after the assassination of his older brother, the former president of the U.S. While working as an oil rigger, Nick is introduced to a terminally ill gentleman who claims to have been "the second assassin." His curiosity aroused, Nick begins digging into what was supposed to be a closed case -- and, predictably, what he finds out isn't pretty. This, however, is the only predictable element of this mesmerizingly mazelike yarn. A failure when first released, Winter Kills fared somewhat better when director William Richert arranged to rerelease the film through his own company and restore several scenes that had been cut by its previous backers. Elizabeth Taylor appears uncredited as one "Lola Comante." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: William Richert
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1977 Wide
On DVD: Mar 18, 2003

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Huston gives a powerhouse performance, and Bridges, always likeable, runs through his repertoire of facial expressions and grimaces, but it's a lost cause.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Winter Kills" isn't exactly a comedy, but it's funny. And it isn't exactly serious, but it takes on the serious business of the Kennedy assassination.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
The film is funny, but it's frightening and vertiginous, too -- a complex tone that apparently left audiences baffled.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Though it garnered little attention in theaters, it has become a cult favorite on video.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
As an absurdist take on conspiracy thrillers, it's close to brilliant -- assuming you get the joke, which audiences don't seem to have in 1979.
Lori Hoffman, Atlantic City Weekly
Bizarre, fascinating political assassination satire with superb cast
, Time Out
An excellent conspiracy thriller of unusual blackness and wit.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
A real cult classic, this reimagining of the Kennedy assassination asks what might have gone down in an alternate and very similar universe.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Winter Kills boasts some exceptional acting by John Huston and Anthony Perkins and Dorothy Malone.
, Film4
A wonderfully intricate and intelligent thriller.

Read all 10 critic reviews

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Cast

            Jeff Bridges as Nick Kegan

            John Huston as Pa Kegan

            Anthony Perkins as John Ceruti

            Sterling Hayden as Z.K. Dawson

            Eli Wallach as Joe Diamond

            Dorothy Malone as Emma Kegan

            Richard Boone as Keifitz

            Belinda Bauer as Yvette Malone

            Ralph Meeker as Gameboy Baker

            Toshiro Mifune as Keith

            Elizabeth Taylor as Lola Comante (uncredited)

            Joe Spinell as Arthur Fletcher

            Tomas Milian as Frank Mayo

            Gladys Hill as Rosemary

            Berry Berenson as Morgue Attendant

            Michael Bond as Flight Engineer

            Peter Brandon as Doctor

            Loyd Catlett as Z.K. Dawson Guard

            Brad Dexter as Capt. Heller One

            Tisa Farrow as Nurse Two

            Erin Gray as Beautiful Woman Three

            Rebecca Grimes as Beautiful Woman Four

            Eloise Hardt as Secretary Two

            Amanda Jones as Beautiful Woman Seven

            Peter Kilman as Pilot

            Lissette as Cuban Singer

            Donald Moffat as Captain

            Joe Ragno as Doorman

            Candice Rialson as 2nd Blonde Girl

            Gianni Russo as Co-Pilot

            Irving Selbst as Irving Mentor

            Camilla Sparv as Beautiful Woman One

            David Spielberg as Miles Garner

            Robert F. Boyle as Desk Clerk

            Agneta Eckemyr as Nurse One

            Kyle Morris as John Kullens

            Susan Walden as Beautiful Woman Three

            Loutz Gage as Butler

            Chris Soldo as Jeffreys

            Billie Allen as Receptionist

            Tim Culbertson as Security Guard
See full cast

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