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United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), English ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (1.85:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Interactive Menu, SYNOPSIS: Secret Ceremony was based on a prize-winning short story by Argentine civil servant Marco Denevi. Elizabeth Taylor plays Leonora, an aging prostitute who becomes convinced that Cenci (Mia Farrow) is her daughter -- who supposedly died in infancy. Cenci knows that she is in fact Leonora's niece, but Leonora will not be dissuaded in her illusion that their blood ties are stronger. Albert (Robert Mitchum), Cenci's incestuous stepfather, enters the scene, laying the groundwork for a near-orgy of insanity. The full effect of Secret Ceremony was idiotically watered down when additional scenes were shot for the TV version in an attempt to make the sordid goings-on "acceptable" for a mass audience (for example, Elizabeth Taylor's profession was altered from hooker to seamstress!) SCREENED/AWARDED AT: BAFTA Awards, ...Secret Ceremony
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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This late 60s psycho-thriller is miles ahead of it's modern competitors. It is the chilling tale of a bereaved mother (Taylor) and a younger woman (Farrow) in the same situation. They meet on a bus and each realise a strong resemblance to their deceased loved ones. However, it is not long before the girl's meddlesome aunts and perverted stepfather (Mitchum) start to interfere. This is the perfect film for those who enjoy tense thrillers but due to the controversial factor, may not suit everybody.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Based on an award winning short story by the Argentinean writer Marco Denevi and directed by Joseph Losey, this is one bizarre arty flick. An aging, blowsy prostitute (Elizabeth Taylor) still grieving over her dead daughter meets up with a whacked out case of arrested development (Mia Farrow) still grieving over her dead mother. Together, they begin playing house acting out as mother and daughter. Enter Farrow's sexually abusive stepfather (Robert Mitchum). The movie is a disaster and yet it can't be so easily written off. The film is oddly compelling and one keeps hoping it will all coalesce but it never does. The performances are first rate though the actors are unflatteringly made up. Taylor is as beautiful as ever but her tawdry, cheap finery does her a disservice, Farrow (nominated for a best actress BAFTA for her work here) looks like a Morticia Addams wannabe with her long black wig which doesn't sit well with her pale features and Robert Mitchum sports a half beard. There are long stretches of silence which seem self indulgent but Losey does provide an effective gothic atmosphere. The score by Richard Rodney Bennett is disappointingly trite. With Peggy Ashcroft and Pamela Brown.
The Universal DVD from England sports a handsome 1.85 letterbox transfer.
The Universal DVD from England sports a handsome 1.85 letterbox transfer.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I am writing this on Christmas Day, a little drunk, having a moment away from the family before lunch but mainly because I see it has two or three stars only and frankly, this cannot be allowed.
This is really wonderful cinema and let no one tell you differently. It is over-the-top, rather kitsch and slightly psychedelic and to me it represents what a film should do to you when you watch it: it should take you hostage, for what ever reason, and keep you there 'till it ends.
This film keeps and has kept me hostage since my teens precisely because of the outlandish story and the beautiful-cum-interesting-cum-realistic photography. It is bizarre and beautiful and rather mad, but you suspend your disbelief because you want to go on watching Taylor at her crudest and deranged/calculating Farrow and glorious dirty beast Mitchum. You want to see the beautiful rooms and the dykey sisters and Paddington as I remember it in the late 60s when they were rebuilding it... Well, whatever. But it is one of those weird 60s films that works (and I can think of a lot that don't) and it should not get two or three stars.
This is really wonderful cinema and let no one tell you differently. It is over-the-top, rather kitsch and slightly psychedelic and to me it represents what a film should do to you when you watch it: it should take you hostage, for what ever reason, and keep you there 'till it ends.
This film keeps and has kept me hostage since my teens precisely because of the outlandish story and the beautiful-cum-interesting-cum-realistic photography. It is bizarre and beautiful and rather mad, but you suspend your disbelief because you want to go on watching Taylor at her crudest and deranged/calculating Farrow and glorious dirty beast Mitchum. You want to see the beautiful rooms and the dykey sisters and Paddington as I remember it in the late 60s when they were rebuilding it... Well, whatever. But it is one of those weird 60s films that works (and I can think of a lot that don't) and it should not get two or three stars.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Implausible, pretentious and far from thrilling
Many people believe that Joseph Losey's career took a nosedive with international recognition after "The Servant"; as a darling of the arthouse circuit he tended to disappear up... Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2010 by Peter Scott-presland
SECRET CEREMONY--AND THE BEAUTIFUL--ELIZABETH TAYLOR
SECRET CEREMONY,1968,colour,stars screen legends-ELIZABETH TAYLOR-and-ROBERT MITCHUM-also starring is MIA FARROW. Read more
Published on 8 Oct 2009 by Mr. W. J. Wright
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