Kapo Poster

Kapo 1960

★ 6.980 votes117 min📅 1960-09-27

Gillo Pontecorvo's *Kapo (1960)* plunges into the harrowing depths of moral compromise during wartime, where survival comes at a devastating cost.

Director: Gillo Pontecorvo

Cast

Susan Strasberg
Susan Strasberg
Edith
Laurent Terzieff
Laurent Terzieff
Sascha
Emmanuelle Riva
Emmanuelle Riva
Terese
Didi Perego
Didi Perego
Sofia
Gianni Garko
Gianni Garko
Karl
Annabella Besi
Carole
Graziella Galvani
Graziella Galvani
Isabelle
Paola Pitagora
Paola Pitagora
Georgette
Eleonora Bellinzaghi
Bruno Scipioni
Bruno Scipioni

Frequently Asked Questions

What is *Kapo (1960)* about?

*Kapo* follows Edith, a Jewish woman deported to a Nazi concentration camp who clings to life by becoming a kapo, a prisoner tasked with overseeing others. Her morally treacherous role forces her to confront the cost of survival in a world stripped of humanity.

Who directed *Kapo*?

*Kapo* was directed by Italian filmmaker Gillo Pontecorvo, known for his politically charged and socially conscious cinema.

Who stars in *Kapo*?

The film features Susan Strasberg in the lead role, supported by Laurent Terzieff, Emmanuelle Riva, Didi Perego, and Gianni Garko.

Is *Kapo (1960)* worth watching?

As a war drama, *Kapo* delivers a stark, thought-provoking experience that lingers long after the credits roll. While intense and morally complex, it's a film that challenges viewers, making it essential for fans of historical realism and psychological depth.

How long is *Kapo*?

*Kapo* has a runtime of 117 minutes.

🎥 Trailer

About Kapo (1960) — A Haunting War Drama on Moral Survival

Gillo Pontecorvo's *Kapo (1960)* plunges into the harrowing depths of moral compromise during wartime, where survival comes at a devastating cost. Set against the brutal backdrop of a Nazi extermination camp, the film follows Edith, a young Jewish woman who seizes a precarious lifeline by becoming a kapo—a prisoner tasked with overseeing others. Her transformation into a ruthless overseer exposes the fragile boundary between victim and perpetrator, a theme that lingers like a shadow over the narrative. With stark realism and unflinching intensity, Pontecorvo crafts a story that questions humanity's limits when pushed to extremes.

The atmosphere is suffocating, charged with tension as Edith navigates her new role, torn between self-preservation and the remnants of her conscience. The cast, led by Susan Strasberg's gripping portrayal of Edith, anchors the film in raw emotional authenticity. A war drama at its core, *Kapo* transcends mere genre, offering a chilling meditation on power, survival, and the moral fractures of war. Its legacy endures as a testament to cinema's power to confront the darkest chapters of history.