The Malady of Death (1985): cast, story & where to watch
1985 · Film
Released in 1985, The Malady of Death is a drama film directed by Peter Handke, running about 65 minutes.
What it’s about. In the space of a short 65 minutes, a woman enters the luxury apartment of a wealthy man with an eccentric fascination for the female form and is paid both for her sexual favors and for lying there naked and letting him examine the aesthetics of her body. For most of the hour, as the concise narration of Marguerite Duras' novel on eroticism and aesthetics fills the aural gaps, actress Marie Colbin's form fills the visual gaps. But unless viewers consider the feminine eyeball or microscopic views of skin exotic and worth lingering over, the eroticism lies more in the imagination than on the screen. In fact, the female body lying on the bed, taken away from the spirit that animates it, is really just a corpse -- raising the question, exactly what is the "malady of death?"
Who’s in it. The Malady of Death stars Marie Colbin as the anonymous woman and Peter Handke as the narrator.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Malady of Death page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Malady of Death tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Malady of Death (1985)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Malady of Death change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Who stars in The Malady of Death?
- The Malady of Death stars Marie Colbin and Peter Handke.
- When was The Malady of Death released?
- The Malady of Death was released in 1985, with a runtime of about 65 minutes.