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Seance On A Wet Afternoon [1964]
![Seance On A Wet Afternoon [1964]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51WBSDVD83L._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £12.99
Our Price: £6.93 (subject to change)
Certainly not a wet weekend
Review date: 2008-05-07 Rating: 10 out of 10
It's a shame that when Richard Attenborough is no longer with us he is going to be remembered primarily as the director of Ghandi. Good director though he is, I always think his true talent was/is acting and this film is absolutely one of his best and a brilliant forerunner to 10 Rillington Place.
In fact Séance is a real meeting of many talents, even John Barry supplies an excellent score, producing a truly unnerving film that knocks the mugging of productions like The Exorcist into a cocked hat. With its grimly Gothic look inside the house and luminous lighting the film has a real Hitchcock look about it and also brings to mind the jangling thrill of Les Diaboliques.
Séance is a British classic and its portrayal of child abduction is uncomfortably relevant today.
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Reviews
A gripping tragic tale of a sick woman's mind.
Review date: 2007-03-26 Rating: 10 out of 10
This is a very claustrophobic and repressive dark drama that has almost gone un-noticed by the critics since it was made in 1964.
This is the sad and tragic story of a very sick woman (Kim Stanley) whose never recovered after giving birth to a dead baby. More tragic still; her husband (played by Richard Attenborough) is so in love with her still, it becomes a pitiful and sensitive script - despite the horrors of child kidnapping. One scene in particular towards the end will move anyone to tears as the couple exchange their words of love for each other when it would appear that all is lost for them both - and in particular, Stanley's character vowing to do everything for the love of her husband, but only after he's committed the worst of crimes - and all in the name of love for her... Richard Attenborough's character is often regarded as weak, but is merely a victim of being strong in love. Think about that one when you're reaching for the tissues!
I suspect the only other actress that could have competed for the lead performance was Geraldine Page, who uncannily, is not unlike Stanley - both in features and acting style. This is a tough movie for all its cast, and features some of the big names of its day, including Mark Eden, (whose handsome good looks will make the ladies swoon) and a very beautiful Nanette Newman as the unfortunate parents of the missing child.
This title has been very slow in coming out in the UK - indeed it was only ever released on video in the US.
Masterful
Review date: 2006-11-23 Rating: 10 out of 10
Naturally, when one sees a film with Richard Attenborough, it always arouses interest. This film is gripping, accurate and definitely worth a proper viewing.
Kim Stanley plays a manipulative, bullying and self-centred medium (Myra), who craves recognition and status. She concocts a plan to kidnap a child, in order that she may put her powers to good use. However, she is a complete fake and has not mediumistic qualities whatsoever. Her dosile and "hen-pecked" husband (Bill), brilliantly played by Richard Attenborough, does everything she tells him, even pandering to her whims, trying to make her feel better about herself and apparently believing in her fake abilities.
Alas, Myra's plans aren't quite as simple and "innocent" as she originally made out and it soon becomes clear that her ultimate aim is to kill the child. Fortunately, Bill's own sense of morality and decency, prevent him from carrying out his evil wife's intentions and he decides to alert the authorities to the truth.
A brilliant story and a believable script. The black-and-white film does it even more justice and the cast and high standard of acting, merely compliments the drama. A must see!
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Kim Stanley
Patrick Magee
Nanette Newman
Richard Attenborough
Creators:
Richard Attenborough (Primary Contributor)
Kim Stanley (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Network
Manufacturer: Network
EAN: 5027626245849
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL, Special Edition, Widescreen,
Release date: 2006-06-05
Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 117 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1964
Language: English (Original Language)