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Seance on a Wet Afternoon
[1964] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Starring: Kim Stanley, Richard Attenborough, Margaret Lacey, Marie Burke, Maria Kazan
Director: Bryan Forbes
Format: Black & White DVD-Video NTSC Widescreen
Released: 24 Sep 2002
Average Rating:

Customer Reviews

"Tell me you love me..." - By: Kona, 16 Nov 2005
This is an exquisite little movie, made unforgettable by its two talented stars. Kim Stanley plays Myra, a woman who became delusional years ago when her only child was still born. She now claims that she's a psychic medium & that Arthur, her son, speaks to her from beyond. She's married to Billy (Richard Attenborough), a weak & brokenhearted man who knows his wife is mentallly ill, but is unable to help her. They decide to kidnap the daughter of a wealthy couple, collect the ransom, & then Myra will offer her psychic services to the couple to help "find" the little girl. Billy knows it's a bad plan, & he's even more worried when Arthur "tells" Myra that he wants the little girl to join him.

Set in a big, dark house in London, the movie is certainly creepy & suspenseful, but more than anything, it is achingly sad. We feel for the suffering parents of the girl, for Myra, who doesn't know she is insane, & especiallly for Billy, who has lost control of his life completely. Richard Attenborourgh's performance is a master class in the art of acting. A sobering, insightful study of two unhappy people.

Oh what a tangled web we weave - By: B. Chandler, 13 Nov 2005
Myra (Kim Stanley) knows she is distend for greatness & the second rate psychic she seems to be. She enlists (heavily influences) her week-willed husband Billy (Richard Attenborough) into a scheme that seems perfectly innocent; they will barrow a child Amanda (Judith Donner) & then Myra will use her psychic ability to find the child for the parents. Myra gets fame, her husband will get a new car & everyone will be happy.

Every thing will go as planned if you do not take in account that there is something strange going on. And it is snowballling.

The film was shot in black & white which gives it a spooking & depressing feel. There is sixties English background music including "Hear my Prayer" Written by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy. Then again there are plenty of places where they do not play any background & the natural sounds or lack of can also be spooky.

Kim Stanley was nominated for two Oscars - one for portraying the medium with a secret.