Winter Kills (1977)
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86% of critics liked it
(14 reviews) -
50% of users liked it
(840 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… 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
- Directed By
- William Richert
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Drama
R,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1977 Wide
Critic Reviews
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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.
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, Time Out
An excellent conspiracy thriller of unusual blackness and wit.
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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.
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Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
The film is funny, but it's frightening and vertiginous, too -- a complex tone that apparently left audiences baffled.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Though it garnered little attention in theaters, it has become a cult favorite on video.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
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Cast
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Jeff Bridges
as Nick Kegan
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John Huston
as Pa Kegan
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Anthony Perkins
as John Ceruti
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Sterling Hayden
as Z.K. Dawson
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Eli Wallach
as Joe Diamond
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Dorothy Malone
as Emma Kegan
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Richard Boone
as Keifitz
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Belinda Bauer
as Yvette Malone
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Ralph Meeker
as Gameboy Baker
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Toshiro Mifune
as Keith
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Elizabeth Taylor
as Lola Comante (uncredited)
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Joe Spinell
as Arthur Fletcher
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Tomas Milian
as Frank Mayo
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Gladys Hill
as Rosemary
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Berry Berenson
as Morgue Attendant
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Michael Bond
as Flight Engineer
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Peter Brandon
as Doctor
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Loyd Catlett
as Z.K. Dawson Guard
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Brad Dexter
as Capt. Heller One
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Tisa Farrow
as Nurse Two
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Erin Gray
as Beautiful Woman Three
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Rebecca Grimes
as Beautiful Woman Four
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Eloise Hardt
as Secretary Two
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Amanda Jones
as Beautiful Woman Seven
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Peter Kilman
as Pilot
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Lissette
as Cuban Singer
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Donald Moffat
as Captain
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Joe Ragno
as Doorman
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Candice Rialson
as 2nd Blonde Girl
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Gianni Russo
as Co-Pilot
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Irving Selbst
as Irving Mentor
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Camilla Sparv
as Beautiful Woman One
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David Spielberg
as Miles Garner
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Robert F. Boyle
as Desk Clerk
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Agneta Eckemyr
as Nurse One
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Kyle Morris
as John Kullens
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Susan Walden
as Beautiful Woman Three
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Loutz Gage
as Butler
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Chris Soldo
as Jeffreys
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Billie Allen
as Receptionist
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Tim Culbertson
as Security Guard
