The Investigation (1974)
A haunting Polish TV adaptation of Stanisław Lem's novel, following a Scotland Yard detective through an inexplicable mystery of vanishing corpses.
The Investigation - Movie Information
The Investigation - Plot
A Scotland Yard officer investigates the mysterious disappearance of a series of corpses. Based on the novel by Stanisław Lem.
Where to Watch The Investigation
Looking for where to watch The Investigation?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
The Investigation - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Marek Piestrak
Main Cast
- Tadeusz Borowski
- Edmund Fetting
- Jerzy Przybylski
- Bolesław Abart
- Bogumił Antczak
- Róża Czaplewska
- Zbigniew Geiger
- Marek Gołębiowski
- Maciej Grzybowski
- Henryk Hunko
Writers
- Andrzej Kotkowski
- Marek Piestrak
The Investigation - FAQs
What is The Investigation (1974) about?
The Investigation follows a Scotland Yard detective tasked with solving a deeply unsettling case: corpses are vanishing from their resting places under inexplicable circumstances. Based on Stanisław Lem's philosophical novel, the film blends crime procedural tension with eerie, almost supernatural mystery that resists easy resolution.
Is The Investigation based on a Stanisław Lem novel?
Yes, the film adapts Stanisław Lem's 1959 novel Śledztwo. Lem, best known for Solaris, used the detective genre to explore themes of rationalism, chance, and the limits of human understanding. The story deliberately subverts classic mystery conventions by refusing to deliver a tidy, logical solution.
Does The Investigation have a clear ending or resolution?
That's one of the film's most intriguing qualities — it doesn't wrap up neatly. True to Lem's source novel, the mystery of the disappearing corpses is never fully explained. The ambiguity is intentional, inviting viewers to question whether rational investigation can ever account for the truly inexplicable.
Where can you watch The Investigation (1974)?
You can check current streaming and viewing options for The Investigation on JustWatch, which tracks availability across platforms in your region. As a 1974 Polish TV film, it may have limited availability, but JustWatch is the best place to find any current options for renting or streaming it.
Who directed The Investigation (1974)?
Marek Piestrak directed the film. A Polish filmmaker known for his work in science fiction and genre cinema, Piestrak also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Andrzej Kotkowski. He later gained wider recognition with the sci-fi horror film Klątwa Doliny Węży (1987).
Who are the main actors in The Investigation?
The cast features Tadeusz Borowski as the detective Gregory, Edmund Fetting as Sheppard, and Jerzy Przybylski as the statistician Sciss. The ensemble also includes Bolesław Abart, Bogumił Antczak, Róża Czaplewska, and Zbigniew Geiger, among others.
How long is The Investigation (1974)?
The Investigation runs just 54 minutes, making it a compact, tightly constructed TV film. Its brevity suits the story well — the atmosphere of unease builds quickly, and the short runtime keeps the tension focused without overstaying its welcome.
What are some films similar to The Investigation?
If you enjoy The Investigation's blend of crime and eerie mystery, you might appreciate Green for Danger (1946), Gaslight (1944), or Lured (1947). For more classic British detective fare, Miss Marple: The Murder at the Vicarage (1986) and Dead Man's Folly (1986) offer similarly atmospheric whodunit pleasures.
More About The Investigation
Explore further details about The Investigation on these authoritative resources.