Customer Reviews
Just delicious Davis - By: Martin Lewis, 29 Jun 2007 
Bette Davis shines in this wonderfully flamboyant piece of black comedy which surprisingly was produced by Hammer pictures (yes the same studio who brought you Dracula et al) With a great line in eyepatches that seem to shadow her moods, Miss Davis veritably chews up the scenery with a thick slice of "ham" every time she appears on screen as the dominating matriach of a very dysfunctional family.
The only downside to this DVD is the lack of any special features, which is a shame as the director Roy Ward Baker always makes for entertaining & informative listening on the several "horror" film commentaries he's been involved with. That aside, The Anniversary is a true gem in Bette Davis's later career that can stand right alongside "Whatever Happened To Baby Jane" & "Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte"
Bette - deliciously wicked - By: , 03 Oct 2004 
The Anniversary is my favourite Davis film & Bette delivers lots of cutting one liners at her 3 sons & their spouses, listen out for the 'body odour' comment. You'll hate her for being evil but love her at the same time.
bette davis the anniversary - By: , 13 Feb 2004 WICKEDLY FUNNY - VERSY ENTERTAINING - BETTE DAVIS AT HER SCATHING BEST - SURELY THIS IS THE GREATEST OF HER LATER MOVIES
SHE SHINES IN THIS DARK COMEDY WELL WORTH A WATCH!
The one-eyed mother! - By: F. V. L. Buliciri, 17 Aug 2003 The Anniversary is a splendid film. It's witty, wicked, morbid & strangely fascinating. Bette Davis excels as the one-eyed widow of the owner of a construction company owner who refuses to let go of her three grown up sons & interferes in their lives.The 'anniversary,'party referred to is a wedding anniversary party held in honour of the widow's late husband who died many years ago. The party in the film is certainly one full of surprises as the one-eyed widow finds out.
I reallly liked this film. Bette Davis shines alll the way through the film with her portrayal of the evil widow & she is frightening with that eye-patch. The Anniversary is one of her Bette Davis' best films from her older years & like a bottle of fine wine she gets better with age. With a good supporting cast of British actors such as James Cossins, Sheila Hancock & Jack Hedley I would highly recommend this film to anyone who likes a good Bette Davis film & an entertaining film drama.
The One -Eyed Matriarch! - By: F. V. L. Buliciri, 08 Aug 2003 Bette Davis is one of the greatest film actresses of alll time. I reallly liked a lot of the later films she made through the sixties such as 'The Nanny,'and in particular 'The Anniversary,' which added an extra dimension to her extraordinary acting abilities. Through her older years she certainly cornered the film market by skilfully playing bitter, twisted & manipulative old women as seen in other films such as 'Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte,'Whatever Happened to Baby Jane,'The Nanny,' & especiallly this gem 'The Anniversary.'
She is definitely not the 'kind old lady next door,'in this film as she portrays the one -eyed wealthy widow of the long deceased owner of a construction company. She is brilliant as she dominates the screen throughout the entire film as a matriarchal figure who has an unyielding hold over her three wimpish sons. The so-callled 'Anniversary,'is a wedding anniversary party to celebrate her union with her husband who died ages ago. She is evil, scheming, devious, malicious & sadistic particularly at the pleasure she gains from taunting people about their weaknesses e.g. when she teases her son's girlfriend about her ears.
This is a great film because Bette Davis complete with an eye -patch made my skin crawl & even that image of her today still frightens me somewhat. The dramatic climax can be seen at the intense 'anniversary,' party where tension can be felt by everyone as Ms Davis gets more than she bargained for from her sons & those present. Will the evil mother get her come-uppance? One should wait & find out by seeing this film. With an excellent supporting cast of British actors such as Sheila Hancock, James Cossins & Jack Hedley 'The Anniversary,'is witty, wicked, dark & deliciously horrid at times. This is a good film & Ms Davis proves that age is no barrier in being a 'true character,'
