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Spellbound (1945)
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Reviews Counted:40
Fresh:31
Rotten:9
Average Rating:5.6/10
Runtime: 1 hr 58 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: Drawing on psychoanalysis to frame a transcendent love story, Alfred Hitchcock's SPELLBOUND is a mind-bending study of just how far people might go to escape trauma or to pursue passion. Gregory... Drawing on psychoanalysis to frame a transcendent love story, Alfred Hitchcock's SPELLBOUND is a mind-bending study of just how far people might go to escape trauma or to pursue passion. Gregory Peck is introduced as Dr. Edwardes, the newly arrived director of a mental asylum. However, when Edwardes starts displaying strange behavior in a meeting with the staff, Dr. Constance Peterson (Ingrid Bergman) begins to suspect that all is not right with him. Edwardes proves to actually be John Ballantine, a patient suffering from amnesia--and a consuming dread in relation to the missing Dr. Edwardes. As suspicion of murder falls over Ballantine, the icy Peterson finds herself growing more and more emotionally attached to him and more and more convinced that curing his amnesia is the key to proving his innocence. Retreating to an upstate residence, Peterson enlists the help of leading psychoanalyst Dr. Brulov (Michael Chekhov). Pursuing the truth of the mysterious disappearance of Dr. Edwardes leads deep into the tangled mindscape of Ballantine and proves that danger is very close indeed. To illustrate the psychological journey Ballantine undergoes, the film includes a captivating dream sequence designed by the legendary surrealist painter Salvador Dali. [More]
Starring: Ingrid Bergman, Gregory Peck, Leo G. Carroll, Michael Chekhov
Starring: Ingrid Bergman, Gregory Peck, Leo G. Carroll, Michael Chekhov, Rhonda Fleming, John Emery, Norman Lloyd, Steven Geray
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Producer: David O. Selznick
Composer: Miklos Rozsa
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Reviews for Spellbound
Spellbound is not one of Hitchcock's best films...That said, the Criterion Edition DVD is a must-have for any serious Hitchcock fan.
Alfred Hitchcock's romantic psychoanalysis melodrama is pretty to look at even if it is a little over-the-top.
I suspect that we are to take Spellbound as a dream, a fantasy about the efficacy of psychiatry and the redemption of romance that plays out in J.B.'s head.
The commentary track isn't much to write home about, but there are enough good qualities to make this disc a winner.
Hitchcock fans will feel pleased with the Criterion release of Spellbound, but less stalwart partisans will probably want to check out some of his other works instead.
Although not among Hitch’s best work,[Spellbound] is entertaining, particularly when viewed with the accompanying DVD features.
A classic from the Master of Suspense, in a beautiful transfer and with a ton of extras to boot. An amazing disc that belongs in every collection.
As to the quality of the transfer itself, Spellbound measures up exactly with the previous Criterion Hitchcock titles.
For those of you wanting to move beyond the usual cable showings of Psycho, Rear Window, and North by Northwest, Spellbound is a good place to start when looking for a “different” Hitchcock.
The dialogue remains crisp and sharp at all times, with no volume errors to report.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 15% 15% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
| 53% 53% | David & Layla |
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