The Contract
Kontrakt
Synopsis
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.
Top Cast
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Maja Komorowska
Dorota
Tadeusz Łomnicki
Adam Ostoja-Okędzki
Magdalena Jarosz
Lilka Bartoszuk
Krzysztof Kolberger
Piotr Ostoja-Okędzki
Nina Andrycz
Olga Aleksandrowa
Zofia Mrozowska
Maria
Beata Tyszkiewicz
Nina
Janusz Gajos
Bolesław Bartoszuk
Edward Linde-Lubaszenko
Journalist Zygmunt
Ignacy Machowski
Adam's Friend
Christine Paul-Podlasky
Patrycja
Peter Bonke
Sven
Leslie Caron
Penelopa Wilson
Irena Byrska
Babysitter
Jolanta Kozak-Sutowicz
Weronika
Maciej Robakiewicz
Patrycja's Boyfriend
Jerzy Święch
Priest
Bożena Dykiel
Ewa
Release History & Theatrical Window
March 3, 1982
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Krzysztof Zanussi
- Screenplay & Story
- Krzysztof Zanussi
- Original Score
- Wojciech Kilar
- Original Title
- Kontrakt
- Country of Origin
- Poland
- Spoken Languages
- Polish
- Runtime
- 1h 54m
- Production Studios
- Zespół Filmowy "Tor"
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Krzysztof Zanussi
Krzysztof Zanussi
Wojciech Kilar
Sławomir Idziak
Urszula Śliwińska
Department Leadership Roster
Krzysztof Zanussi
Director
Urszula Śliwińska
Editor
Krzysztof Zanussi
Writer
Anna B. Sheppard
Costume Design
Sławomir Idziak
Director of Photography
Nina Ricci
Costume Design
Wojciech Kilar
Original Music Composer
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Contract.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Contract.
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Polish Films
Polish cinema: Wikidata country-of-origin Poland, merged with the canon (Polish Film School, Moral Anxiety, Has, Zulawski, Kieslowski, Wajda, contemporary).
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Contract
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Contract 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 directed The Contract?
The Contract was directed by Krzysztof Zanussi.
Who stars in The Contract?
The principal cast of The Contract includes Maja Komorowska, Tadeusz Łomnicki, Magdalena Jarosz, Krzysztof Kolberger, Nina Andrycz.
When was The Contract released and how long is it?
The Contract was released in 1982 with a total runtime of 1h 54m.
Who composed the musical score for The Contract?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Contract was composed by Wojciech Kilar.