Rotten Tomatoes
Submit search Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Licensed to Kill

Play trailer Poster for Licensed to Kill 1997 1h 20m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
92% Tomatometer 13 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
In this documentary, homosexual filmmaker Arthur Dong interviews men who were imprisoned for slaying gays. Dong, who was physically attacked because of his own sexuality in the 1970s, tries to ascertain the convicts' motives -- why they would commit such heinous crimes. Some prisoners express remorse for their acts of violence, while others believe the murders they committed were justified. The interviewees include a U.S. military officer, a devout Christian and a petty thief.

Where to Watch

Licensed to Kill

Critics Reviews

View More
Nick Charles New York Daily News Jun 9, 2020
3.5/4
Disturbing, unflinching and brilliant. Go to Full Review Russell Smith Austin Chronicle Jun 9, 2020
3.5/5
The almost clinical restraint of Dong's Sundance and Berlin Film Festival award-winner only enhances its staggering emotional impact. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy Variety Feb 14, 2007
B+
Offering a harrowing and disturbing look at homophobia and anti-gay violence, Dong's courageous docu, winner of 2 major awards at the 1997 Sundance Fest, is an intelligent exploration of sexual prejudice and hatred in contemporay American society. Go to Full Review Mark J. Huisman The Advocate Jun 1, 2022
[Director Arthur Dong's] simple focus on our killers gives the film undeniable power. Go to Full Review Andy Klein New Times Jun 9, 2020
The chill and fear it generates are more genuine than the 1989 James Bond film its name evokes. Go to Full Review Richard von Busack MetroActive Jun 9, 2020
Licensed to Kill is a real achievement, especially since Dong didn't lose his perspective -- he hates the crime, but not the criminals, and he pins the blame where it belongs. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Mar 16, 2009 Documentary gives an interesting view in the mind of killers who attack gay people See more Nov 11, 2007 One of the most powerful documentaries I have seen. And very sad too how religion still pays a very strong part of killing innocent people. That, ignorance, and/or homophobia. See more Nov 5, 2007 Obviously picked the wrong movie here, it was meant to be Bond See more Sep 22, 2006 This movie had potential, but fell through the cracks. To bad. See more Read all reviews
Licensed to Kill

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Cast & Crew

View All

Arthur Dong

Director

Arthur Dong

Producer

Arthur Dong

Writer

Robert Shepard

Cinematographer

Arthur Dong

Art Director

Miriam Cutler

Original Music
View All

Licensed to Kill

Licensed to Kill (1997) Licensed to Kill (1997) Licensed to Kill (1997) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In this documentary, homosexual filmmaker Arthur Dong interviews men who were imprisoned for slaying gays. Dong, who was physically attacked because of his own sexuality in the 1970s, tries to ascertain the convicts' motives -- why they would commit such heinous crimes. Some prisoners express remorse for their acts of violence, while others believe the murders they committed were justified. The interviewees include a U.S. military officer, a devout Christian and a petty thief.
Director
Arthur Dong
Producer
Arthur Dong
Screenwriter
Arthur Dong
Production Co
P.O.V., DeepFocus Productions Inc.
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (DVD)
Jun 14, 2005
Runtime
1h 20m
Join The Newsletter Join The Newsletter Cookie Settings