Rating: 
Summary: Greatest Film Performance to Date
Review: I have seen well over a thousand films--including all the most critically acclaimed--but I have yet to see a film performance equalling Kim Stanley's in Seance on a Wet Afternoon. It is truly compelling and to highlight all the other many attributes of the film would detract from what is Stanley's astounding achievement. And just to think that Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins won the Academy Award over Stanley should give everyone pause to assess the real meaning of "Oscar". What more can be said?
Rating:
Summary: Greatest Film Performance to Date
Review: I have seen well over a thousand films--including all the most critically acclaimed--but I have yet to see a film performance equalling Kim Stanley's in Seance on a Wet Afternoon. It is truly compelling and to highlight all the other many attributes of the film would detract from what is Stanley's astounding achievement. And just to think that Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins won the Academy Award over Stanley should give everyone pause to assess the real meaning of "Oscar". What more can be said?
Rating:
Summary: Madness in the House
Review: Kim Stanley and Richard Attenborough are terrific in this understated thiller you will not soon forget. Their dreary house provides past dreams lost and insidious remedies to correct their condition. Superior acting .
Rating: 
Summary: Two Words...
Review: Patrick Magee. He comes in right at the very end of the film. There. You see him? Say hello to Mr. Magee. Hello Mr. Magee.
Rating:
Summary: A MASTERPIECE OF MOOD......
Review: Stunning film of the staged kidnapping of a child by a demented medium and her cuckolded, guilt-ridden husband. Beautifully photographed in b&W, the film has a grey, somber feel to it that illustrates the emptiness of the childless couple's lives. The plan is to kidnap the child then stage a seance to help "find" the child to further enhance the medium's reputation and career. The husband trembles with fright and guilt while the medium is convinced that this is the "answer". She is "guided" by Arthur---her "spirit" guide---that is actually the child they lost at birth as stillborn. ASTOUNDING performances by stage actress Kim Stanley and Richard Attenborough as the couple carry this film brilliantly to it's gripping conclusion. The subject matter is sensitive (especially today) but the film is a powerful masterwork of mood and psychological character study. I strongly recommend this for true cinema explorers. The DVD transfer is nice and crisp and the sound is clear. It's not for everyone---especially sensitive types---but it's still a must see for those who like engrossing and fascinating films that just don't come along that often. Filmed in 1964, it's as fresh and riveting now as it MUST have been back then. A true classic.
Rating:
Summary: A MASTERPIECE OF MOOD......
Review: Stunning film of the staged kidnapping of a child by a demented medium and her cuckolded, guilt-ridden husband. Beautifully photographed in b&W, the film has a grey, somber feel to it that illustrates the emptiness of the childless couple's lives. The plan is to kidnap the child then stage a seance to help "find" the child to further enhance the medium's reputation and career. The husband trembles with fright and guilt while the medium is convinced that this is the "answer". She is "guided" by Arthur---her "spirit" guide---that is actually the child they lost at birth as stillborn. ASTOUNDING performances by stage actress Kim Stanley and Richard Attenborough as the couple carry this film brilliantly to it's gripping conclusion. The subject matter is sensitive (especially today) but the film is a powerful masterwork of mood and psychological character study. I strongly recommend this for true cinema explorers. The DVD transfer is nice and crisp and the sound is clear. It's not for everyone---especially sensitive types---but it's still a must see for those who like engrossing and fascinating films that just don't come along that often. Filmed in 1964, it's as fresh and riveting now as it MUST have been back then. A true classic.
Rating:
Summary: Loses a star for the DVD features
Review: This is a 5 star film across the board: terse screenplay, stunning performances, haunting John Barry score, wonderfully understated cinematography, but the transfer was terrible. The audio transfer is the worst. The television had to be turned way up and, as the other reviewer said, then certain parts would be very shrill and make the set vibrate. The little hairs and other things that appear when transferring old film negatives don't bother me as much as poor audio. I really wanted to hear commentary from anyone on this disc, I am also a big fan of subtitles (I don't know why). All that being said, I still have to give it 4 stars. This movie is just that good. I found myself literally on the edge of my seat at times, that's a very rare and wonderful thing.M
Rating:
Summary: Terrific and Different, but horrible DVD treatment
Review: This is a GREAT movie that could have been made only in Britain. As soon as it was over, I wanted to watch it again. Both Kim Stanley (who's American by the way, from New Mexico) and Richard Attenborough are magnificent. They were really into this movie. The DVD treatment isn't very good, though. There are many times when a couple of blips appear on the video part of the DVD and the sound is HORRIBLE. It's like they made no attempt to clean-up the sound. Watching it through a regular TV, even with stereo TV speakers, I had to turn it way up, and then it would be too loud (i.e., shrill) in parts. What a shame! No matter. At least they put it in wide-screen format. Hurray for that! If you're into good suspense movies, snap this one up (even if it is WAY OVER-priced).
Rating:
Summary: Chilling, gripping drama
Review: This is a powerful film, with exceptional performances by Attenborough and Stanley in a mad pas-de-deux. The sets and photography are atmospheric and chilling, the score is haunting, and the direction is low-key enough for the two stars to shine on their own. A must-see for any serious fan of drama.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible performance by Kim Stanley
Review: This movie is an excellent British 60s crime drama about a troubled couple, but the film is almost beside the point, I watch this one for Kim Stanley's stunning performance. It has to be one of the best I've ever seen in a modern film. The supporting cast is also excellent. The DVD presentation is fine, ignore the other reviews (they seem to believe that unless a DVD is padded out with lame extras, the disc is worthless).
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