The Contract (1980): cast, story & where to watch
1980 · Film · ★ 5.1
Released in 1980, The Contract is a drama film directed by Krzysztof Zanussi, running about 114 minutes.
What it’s about. Bearing traces of the old Anton Chekhov play The Wedding, The Contract is set during an "arranged" ceremony. The bride and groom barely know each other, but this matters not at all to their tradition-bound families. At the last minute, the bride balks. Only slightly nonplused, the groom's father, a status-seeking doctor, decides to go ahead with the expensive reception anyway. Polish director Krzysz Zanussi uses this scenario to stick it to capitalist corruption, and to society's destruction of the individual spirit. Leslie Caron, the one recognizable member of the cast, is outstanding as a wealthy, over-the-hill ballerina who happens to be a kleptomaniac.
Who’s in it. The Contract stars Maja Komorowska as Dorota, żona Adama, Tadeusz Łomnicki as Adam Ostoja-Okędzki, ojciec Piotra, Magdalena Jarosz as Lilka Bartoszuk, żona Piotra and Krzysztof Kolberger as Piotr Ostoja-Okędzki, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.1/10, The Contract has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Contract page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Contract tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Contract (1980)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Contract change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Contract worth watching?
- The Contract holds an audience score of 5.1 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Contract?
- The Contract stars Maja Komorowska, Tadeusz Łomnicki, Magdalena Jarosz, Krzysztof Kolberger and Nina Andrycz.
- When was The Contract released?
- The Contract was released in 1980, with a runtime of about 114 minutes.