Customer Reviews

Spellbound (The Criterion Collection)

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

Ingrid Bergan is an intense iceberg psychiatrist, who is sexually awakened by her institute's new chief, Gregory Peck, finds herself embroiled in a murder mystery revolving about him. An imposter suffering from amnesia, Peck is everyone's prime suspect. But through a combination of love, psychological technique, and persistence, Bergman protects him and eventually solves the crime. Ingrid also shows up a gaggle of idiotic collegues and is definitely the dominate, sane force. In a rare film where events are resolved by feminine strength, Hitchcock used Bergman to cure Peck of his memory lapse and in no way comprimised her background, education or career to effect happiness and dignity for both of them Famous for Salvador Dali's art sequences, this movie was both a commercial and critical success in 1945. While Bergman and Peck make a rather strange pair, SPELLBOUND remains one of the best "madmen take over the asylum" genre films and it's an interesting if not totally successful excursion into the pathways of the human mind. Meticulous attention to technical detail as well as to narrative is characteristic of Hitchcock, and makes his films virtually textbooks for the creation of an idea through both formal and narrative means.

This absorbing thriller for the mind is moody, romantic, mysterious and atmospheric. The beautiful Ingrid Bergman is great as the Psychiatrist who is looking for a way into Gregory Peck's mind. Peck's coldness actually makes him perfect for the part. Michael Chekhov is also great as Dr. Alex Brulov. Excellent score, and the 'gun camera' sequence are highlights. The dream sequence is definitely a standout, it is filled with cubist imagery and is simply masterful. Filled with the "Master's" usual tricks, Hitchcock managed to create another unique movie. Extras: Hitchcok's usual cameo, this time getting out of an elevator. From a scale of 1-10 I give this film an 8!

Spellbound is a fantastic movie and it is very difficult to describe it. When you see the movie you can easily be engulfed in a world where dream and reality melt together. The enthralling music of Rozsa underline very well romance and suspense, particularly when Gregory Peck holds a razor in the bedroom where Ingrid Bergman sleeps. The actors are very excellent, Gregory Peck is wonderful as a man trying to recover his memory and Ingrid Begman is perfect as cold psychoanalyst. The camera shot used by Alfred Hitchcock are very astonishing, the dream sequence and the murder of the little boy are breathtaking, at the end of the movie don't miss the fantastic scene with the "hand of the death". Don't believe idiots people who think the plot of the movie is too old for today standards, or the psychological story is idiot, these people lack of imagination, or perhaps they are trying to convince other people that today movies are better. If you think like that kind of people, you can watch more psychological movies like I Still Know what you did last summer or Basic instinct. For other people who enjoy good plot, characters and who like to open widely their imagination watch Spellbound which drives you at boundaries of dream.

Spellbound may have been just your regular psychological drama when it was first released but time has changed that. I'd much prefer this movie over the Marx Brothers to get my dose of comedy. There is no chemistry between Peck and Bergman. She'll "have liverwurst" when the two of them picnic. The ski scene had to have cost less than that liverwurst sandwich. Peck is at his wooden best and Bergman's her usual virtuous self. Great movie for fans of those bad movies we love. Hard to say exactly why, though. It must be the absurdity of Bergman as a shrink and the dated psycho-babble. Oh yeah, and of course Peck can take any role and turn it into a joke. He is just sooo stiff!The only thing worthy of praise in the movie is the Dali dream sequence. Ironically, it almost didn't make it into the movie, and some of it was cut out totally. A big ha-ha from me.

Not many lovers of classic cinema would contest that Spellbound is anything less then a winner.

The story, cast, Oscar-winning score by Miklos Rosza and superb direction by Sir Alfred Hitchcock make Spellbound a fascinating film to watch and enjoy again and again.

Considering that Spellbound is a 55 year old movie, the DVD offers a crystal clear picture and dynamic, high-quality sound.

Spellbound never looked better and is a delight to watch. Who would like to have my VHS.

Hitchcock is my favorite filmmaker, but I've never been able to understand why this is considered one of his classics. Gregory Peck is a stiff, as usual. And Ingrid, dear, you just don't pull off the mousey-and-unglamorous thing.

The worst: that pseudo-Freudian mumbo-jumbo, embarassing, naive and reductionist. I kept waiting for Peck to get his memory back by getting konked on the head with a rock. These scenes don't even have the excuse of being dramatically compelling - they have the feel of a cheesy educational film you'd see in a high school psychology class.

It's beyond me why this keeps getting praised while the superior "Marnie" (which admittedly has some similar problems in the psych department) keeps getting slammed.

Liked the cinematography and the dream sequence, tho'.

My first introduction recently to Hitchcock was Vertigo. Ever since then I've been planning to see as many of his films as I can. The man is an absolute genius. The problem was that the movies I wanted to see were unavailable. North by Northwest isn't available in widescreen yet (I don't know if it ever will be). Rear Window is not available on tape at all. I planned to buy Psycho but decided on a more obscure title first. Spellbound sounded right up my alley. The pschological aspect in a thriller made me choose it between itself and Notorious. The promise of a dream sequence designed by Salvador Dali closed the deal (I love surrealism).

I would be lying to say I wasn't disappointed the first time I watched it. The story seemed to move much too slowly. The whole angle of Freudian Psychoanalysis seemed ridiculous and forced. Worst of all was the dream sequence, it turned out to be extremely short and rather straightforward. While I did enjoy it the movie fell far short of my expectations.

Upon second viewing I was able to appreciate the film much better. It was easier to focus on the superb technique and unfolding of the plot. You need to realize that Freud was probably a lot less familiar to audiences during this film's release. This explains the overexplanation of everything that Ingrid Bergman does to help her patient. During the birth of psychology the themes presented in this film presented plausible answers to the audience while today they would seem flawed and absurd.

Overall, this film is an enjoyable romance. Don't expect even as many thrills as in Vertigo. Just try to sit back and not get too distracted by the hard to swallow pop-psych.

If you're a serious fan of the film "Spellbound" you know of the three frames that where hand tinted red in the original release prints. The frames aren't tinted red in this DVD release. You're better off waiting till someone actually familiar with the film makes an athoritative transfer.

This movie is one of my all-time favourites. I like all Alfred Hitchcock movies. I can watch this all day over and over. Its very rare that I like old movies but this one is great and is higly recommended to all. If you like confusing mysteries then you would love this one. Gregory Peck is a very good actor. I love him in his movies also.

I was most impressed with this film. This is not one to be taken lightly or watched carelessly. Hitchcock gives the viewer an intellectual run-for-his-money in a thriller that combines classic suspense and a deep application of the psychoanalytic theories which were becoming more and more popular during the time this movie was made. If anything, one should view the film just to see the dream sequence created by artist Salvador Dali.