Myra Savage, której jakiś czas temu zmarł jedyny syn, twierdzi, że posiada paranormalne zdolności. Aby zdobyć pieniądze i rozgłos, wraz ze swoim uległym mężem Billem obmyślają plan. Chcą porwać dziecko zamożnych państwa Claytonów, zgarnąć okup, a następnie, dzięki swoim paranormalnym "umiejętnościom", pomóc rodzicom odnaleźć dziewczynkę. Plan rozpada się, ale w najbardziej nieoczekiwanym kierunku.
An intensely claustrophobic nail-biter to rival prime Hitchcock, 1964's
Séance on a Wet Afternoon is a classic British thriller written and directed by Bryan Forbes. Set largely in an imposing Gothic house in north London, the film stars Richard Attenborough as Bill Savage, a man struggling to maintain his marriage to his increasingly unbalanced wife, Myra, played in an Oscar-nominated performance by the little-known but brilliant Broadway actress Kim Stanley. Myra, who believes she is a medium, plans a scheme that will make her famous, involving kidnapping then "psychically" locating a little girl. Attenborough (who won a BAFTA) and Stanley are both superb in what is part riveting battle of wills, part nerve-wracking kidnap thriller with, just possibly, a touch of the supernatural.
Gerry Turpin's precise b/w cinematography and John Barry's chilling score add significantly to the atmosphere of dread, and if the plot has one or two gaping holes, Forbes's direction covers them deftly. Forbes explored female delusion again in The Whispers (1967) and The Mad Woman of Chaillot (1969); the film also marked a major entry in his long-term collaboration with John Barry and with his wife, the actress Nanette Newman. Séance clearly had an influence on Attenborough's own directorial contribution to the genre, the highly unsettling Anthony Hopkins vehicle, Magic (1978).
On the DVD: Séance on a Wet Afternoon is presented in an excellent 16:9 transfer, anamorphically enhanced for widescreen televisions, that effectively captures the brooding look of Gerry Tupin's BAFTA-nominated cinematography. Unfortunately the print used, though generally very good, does show some damage, including some instances that appear to run through the best part of a reel. Though noticeable and sometimes distracting, they barely mar this gripping film. The mono soundtrack is fine, though there is the very occasional touch of distortion. The disc comes with optional English subtitles, the excellent original trailer and a new and first-rate 33-minute interview with Bryan Forbes in which he engagingly explains every aspect of the making of the film. --Gary S Dalkin
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Behind the scenes, Black White, Cast/Crew Interview(s), Commentary, Interactive Menu, Photo Gallery, Scene Access, Special Edition, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: Myra Savage, helped by her husband Billy, earns a meagre living as a medium. Acting on instructions from Arthur, her dead son, she evolves a master plan to gain professional recognition. Bill reluctantly helps her by kidnapping Amanda Clayton, the young daughter of a wealthy industrialist. She is concealed in their house and a ransom demanded. Mrs Clayton, distraught, comes to a seance for help. Billy is convinced of Myra's insanity when she informs him that Amanda must be killed to further the plan. He is too implicated and weak to refuse. When the police finally come to ask for Myra's help the voice of Amanda tells them the whole story. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: BAFTA Awards, Edgar Allan Poe Awards, Oscar Academy Awards, San Sebastian International Film Festival, ...Seance on a Wet Afternoon ( S�ance on a Wet Afternoon )
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