IMDb > Chinatown (1974)
Chinatown
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Chinatown (1974) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 69 | slideshow) Videos (see all 15 NEW)
Chinatown (1974) -- A private detective investigating an adultery case stumbles on to a scheme of murder that has something to do with water.
Chinatown (1974) -- Clip: Your husband was murdered
Chinatown (1974) -- A private detective investigating an adultery case stumbles on to a scheme of murder that has something to do with water.
Chinatown (1974) -- ZuGuide.com - Trailer (Flash)
Chinatown (1974) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
No change in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Roman Polanski
Writer:
Robert Towne (written by)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Chinatown on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
20 June 1974 (USA) more
Genre:
Mystery | Thriller more
Plot:
A private detective investigating an adultery case stumbles on to a scheme of murder that has something to do with water. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 18 wins & 22 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(119 articles)
AFI's 100 Years ...100 Movie Quotes
 (From Extra. 4 November 2009, 4:45 AM, PST)

A former prosecutor says Polanski out of luck, despite victim's pleas
 (From Monsters and Critics. 26 October 2009, 8:30 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
watered down noire more (324 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Jack Nicholson ... J.J. Gittes

Faye Dunaway ... Evelyn Mulwray

John Huston ... Noah Cross
Perry Lopez ... Escobar
John Hillerman ... Yelburton
Darrell Zwerling ... Hollis Mulwray

Diane Ladd ... Ida Sessions
Roy Jenson ... Mulvihill

Roman Polanski ... Man with Knife
Richard Bakalyan ... Loach (as Dick Bakalyan)
Joe Mantell ... Walsh

Bruce Glover ... Duffy
Nandu Hinds ... Sophie
James O'Rear ... Lawyer

James Hong ... Evelyn's Butler
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
131 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Stereo

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Ranked #2 on the American Film Institute's list of the 10 greatest films in the genre "Mystery" in June 2008 more
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: Reflected in the glass behind Gittes while he signs the contract with Mrs. Mulwray. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Jake Gittes: All right, Curly. Enough's enough. You can't eat the Venetian blinds. I just had them installed on Wednesday.
more
Movie Connections:
Spoofed in Stella Street (2004) more
Soundtrack:
The Way You Look Tonight more

FAQ

A Note Regarding Spoilers
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
What is the meaning of "Chinatown" and the last line of the movie?
more
41 out of 67 people found the following comment useful.
watered down noire, 28 May 2005
9/10
Author: mgrindberg from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico

A film about LA and water set in the l930's during a drought with a dark incestuous subplot and some stunning performances by Faye Dunaway and Jack Nicholson, and superb cinematography that seemed to capture the essence of LA. Directed by Roman Polanski, who makes a terrific cameo appearance as a switchblade wielding heavy, and using the considerable acting talents of John Huston as a ruthless and perverted landowner. Read Cadillac Desert to know about LA's water grab but see Chinatown for its brilliant allegory of water and corruption, both public and private. The direction, the screenplay, the acting, the photography, and the soundtrack combine to make a convincing and atmospheric picture. The crushing ending is just so much more icing on the cake.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (324 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Chinatown (1974)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Al Pacino vs. Jack Nicholson vs. Albert Finney impossibledreamer
Ellen Burstyn vs. Faye Dunaway impossibledreamer
possible plothole that's been bugging me. kereyv-1
How many people's favourite movie? PiperLaurieFan715
Vertigo Just_Another_Film_Buff
Doesn't deserve to be in the top 1000 exclusiveburner
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
L.A. Confidential Hollywoodland Don't Look Now Body Double Tightrope
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb top 250 movies IMDb Mystery section
IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.