Amazon.com essential video: Psychological terrorism and supernatural horror have rarely been dramatized as effectively as in this classic 1968 thriller, masterfully adapted and directed by Roman Polanski from the chilling novel by Ira Levin. Rosemary (Mia Farrow) is a young, trusting housewife in New York whose actor husband (John Cassavetes), unbeknownst to her, has literally made a deal with the devil. In the thrall of a witches' coven headquartered in their apartment building, the young husband arranges to have his wife impregnated by Satan in exchange for success in a Broadway play. To Rosemary, the pregnancy seems like a normal and happy one--that is, until she grows increasingly suspicious of her neighbors' evil influence. Polanski establishes this seemingly benevolent situation and then introduces each fiendish little detail with such unsettling subtlety that the film escalates to a palpable level of dread and paranoia. By the time Rosemary discovers that her infant son "has his father's eyes" ... well, let's just say the urge to scream along with her is unbearably intense! One of the few modern horror films that can claim to be genuinely terrifying, Rosemary's Baby is an unforgettable movie experience, guaranteed to send chills up your spine. --Jeff Shannon
John Cassavetes All the acting is great in this film but I watch it to watch John Cassavetes performance. His character as expectant dad and Rosemary's husband is one I love to hate and be attracted to at the same time. Cassavetes is able to show a man filled to the brim with lies and how the lies take over his whole body,the way at almost every moment he is pretending to be motivated by protective impulse while his body movement shows he is not filled with love but everything vile.
Brilliant horror movie, a classic that sets the bar high Hollywood has often attempted to capture the angst of mothers and parents alike, when recreating plots of devil possession and similar storylines. Down to the drips of water, the chocolate mouse scene, the way the meat is flipped in the pan, this movie is a true classic. I first watched this with my mom, who was a huge horror fanatic. I must say, that although I am not a fan of gory horror, the music, subtlety and visuals of this earlier entry in suspense/supernatural thrillers sets the pace for the industry. Many movies have attempted to replicate its atmopheric power, but this one remains realistic and terrifying-even today. I wish they'd restore it and put it on Blu-Ray with plenty of extras!
The power of suggestion. Rosemary's Baby is an understated, chilling tale of horror of an young woman whose mundane world slowly changes into the gothic and bizarre. Rosemary is married to an actor whose career suddenly takes off to unexpected heights. She feels herself being cast aside by his ascent to fame, but it is, indeed, Rosemary who is the central focus of the story.
The writing, acting and direction magically make Rosemary's suspicions and fear our own, It does so slowly and methodically with amazing precision, and there is no release until the very end. At times, the build-up is almost maddening.
If you haven't seen this film in a while, I recommend that you reacquaint yourself with it now. Ruth Gordon's supporting performance as one of the neighbors under suspicion is worth the price of the DVD alone. If you have never seen it before -- don't miss it. Rosemary's Baby is a powerful film that will haunt you forever.
Classic horror This is a horror masterpiece. I return to this movie every October. I watch it from my dark, cold, New England bedroom. On repeated viewings it's just as scary as the first time I saw it...over 20 years ago. Read the book as well; it's just as good.
This film has haunted me my whole life. I caught glimpses of this on cable as a kid, and those parts interspersed with ominous warnings from adults about this movie, have driven it to legendary status within my brain.
I imagine scenes in my head now that aren't actually in the movie because Polanski is so masterful at suggesting more than is actually on the screen. This movie, along with Chinatown, shows Polanski is at his most suggestive and subtle.
He absolutely reaches the ideal that Hemingway talked about with "90% of the story submerged beneath the surface"--only Polanski does it on film in a way that no one else has done before or since.
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