SPELLBOUND [1945 / 2001] [The Criterion Collection] [DVD] [USA Release] The Maddest Love that ever possessed a woman! ‘SPELLBOUND’ is all about Love and Psychoanalysis!
Dr. Constance Petersen [Ingrid Bergman] is a psychiatrist with a firm understanding of human nature — or so she thinks. When the mysterious John Ballantyne [Gregory Peck] becomes the new chief of staff at her institution, the bookish and detached Dr. Constance Petersen plummets into a whirlwind of tangled identities and feverish psychoanalysis, where the greatest risk is to fall in love. A transcendent love story replete with taut excitement and startling imagery, ‘SPELLBOUND’ is classic Alfred Hitchcock, featuring stunning performances, an Academy Award® winning score by Miklos Rozsa, and a captivating dream sequence by Surrealist icon Salvador Dalí.
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FILM FACT No.1: Awards and Nominations: 1946 Academy Awards®: Win: Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture for Miklós Rózsa. Nominated: Best Picture. Nominated: Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Michael Chekhov. Nominated: Best Director for Alfred Hitchcock. Nominated: Best Cinematography in Black-and-White for George S. Barnes, A.S.C. Nominated: Best Effects and Special Effects for Jack Cosgrove (photographic). 1946 Photoplay Awards: Win: Best Performances of the Month (January) for Ingrid Bergman and Gregory Peck. 1947 Picturegoer Awards: Win: Gold Medal for Best Actor for Gregory Peck. 1947 Venice Film Festival: Nominee: Grand International Award for Alfred Hitchcock.
FILM FACT No.2: David O. Selznick originally wanted Joseph Cotten, Dorothy McGuire, and Paul Lukas to play the roles ultimately portrayed by Gregory Peck, Ingrid Bergman and Michael Chekhov, respectively. Greta Garbo was considered for the role of Dr. Constance Petersen. Alfred Hitchcock wanted Joseph Cotten to portray Dr. Murchison. Selznick also wanted Jennifer Jones to portray Dr. Constance Petersen but Alfred Hitchcock objected. David O. Selznick brought in his own therapist, May Romm, MD, to serve as a technical advisor on the production. May Romm, MD and Alfred Hitchcock clashed frequently. Alfred Hitchcock’s cameo appearance in the film occurs approximately at the forty-minute mark, when he can be seen exiting an elevator at the Empire State Hotel, carrying a violin case and smoking a cigarette. ‘SPELLBOUND’ was shot in black-and-white, except for two frames of bright red at the conclusion, when Dr. Murchison's gun is fired into the camera. This detail was deleted in most 16mm and video formats but was restored for the film's DVD release and airings on Turner Classic Movies. Parts of the film were shot in Alta, Utah at the Alta Lodge and Wasatch Ranch. The film's picnic sequence between Gregory Peck and Ingrid Bergman's characters was filmed at the Cooper Ranch in Northridge, Los Angeles, while other sequences — such as the train depot scene — were filmed on the Universal Studios lot. The film features an orchestral score by Miklós Rózsa that pioneered the use of the Theremin, performed by Dr. Samuel Hoffmann. David O. Selznick originally wanted Bernard Herrmann, but when Herrmann became unavailable, Miklós Rózsa was hired and eventually won the Oscar for his score. Miklós Rózsa music achieved great popularity outside the film. David O. Selznick's innovative use of promotional recordings for radio broadcast made the themes familiar and eventually inspired Miklós Rózsa to prepare a full-scale “Spellbound Concerto” for piano, Theremin, and orchestra.
Cast: Ingrid Bergman, Gregory Peck, Michael Chekhov, Leo G. Carroll, Rhonda Fleming, John Emery, Norman Lloyd, Bill Goodwin, Steven Geray, Donald Curtis, Wallace Ford, Art Baker, Regis Toomey, Paul Harvey, Jean Acker (uncredited), Irving Bacon (uncredited), Richard Bartell (uncredited), Harry Brown (uncredited), Joel Davis (uncredited), Jacqueline deWit (uncredited), Edward Fielding (uncredited), Alfred Hitchcock (uncredited), Teddy Infuhr (uncredited), Victor Kilian (uncredited), George Meader (uncredited), Matt Moore (uncredited), Constance Purdy (uncredited), Addison Richards (uncredited), Erskine Sanford (uncredited), Janet Scott (uncredited), Clarence Straight (uncredited) and Dave Willock (uncredited)
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Producer: David O. Selznick
Screenplay: Ben Hecht (screenplay), Hilary St George Saunders (suggested by novel: “The House of Dr. Edwardes”), John Palmer (suggested Francis Beeding novel: “The House of Dr. Edwardes”), Angus MacPhail (adaptation) and May E. Romm (contributing writer: foreword) (uncredited)
Composer: Miklós Rózsa
Costume and Wardrobe Department: Ann Peck Wardrobe supervisor: women (uncredited) and Gowns: Miss Ingrid Bergman (uncredited)
Cinematography: George S. Barnes, A.S.C. (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080i (Black-and-White)
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: English: 1.0 Dolby Digital Mono Audio
Subtitles: English
Running Time: 113 minutes
Region: NTSC
Number of discs: 1
Studio: UNITED ARTISTS / The Criterion Collection
Andrew’s DVD Review: With the film ‘SPELLBOUND,’ we find Dr. Constance Petersen [Ingrid Bergman] is a gifted psychiatrist, as she has almost endless understanding of human nature. But while her instincts remain sharp as can be, her persona comes off as cold, distant, and sometimes even uncaring. At the institution where Dr. Constance Petersen works, the chief of staff has retired and in his place, we have a new worker who is brought in and it is Dr. Anthony Edwardes [Gregory Peck] and the arrival of this new co-worker is certain to alter Dr. Constance Petersen’s life forever, but there is a great mystery co-worker who is really John Ballantyne [Gregory Peck]
The story, which was vaguely inspired by a 1927 pulp-Gothic novel called “The House of Dr. Edwardes” by Hilary Saint George Saunders and Francis Beeding, and opens in a mental institution. The main character is a cool, scholarly analyst named Dr. Constance Petersen [Ingrid Bergman] in the first of three starring roles in other Alfred Hitchcock films. Dr. Constance Petersen is book-smart and experience deprived and confident that everything she needs to know can be found on the page.
The new chief of staff arrives who is Dr. Anthony Edwardes [Gregory Peck] a so called famous psychiatrist with a more humanistic approach, but with a very trouble mind from something that tragically happened to him in his past, quite a contrast from the bookish Dr. Constance Petersen, to be sure. But Dr. Constance Petersen is soon head over heels with Dr. Anthony Edwardes for his beautiful, but is initially a very cold co-worker, though Dr. Anthony Edwardes isn’t the type to give up too easily. Dr. Constance Petersen becomes involved with the new chief of staff Dr. Anthony Edwardes, but attempts to keep her distance, as Dr. Constance Petersen doesn’t want to fall in love. But when Dr. Anthony Edwards is revealed to be a paranoid amnesiac impostor who is really just ordinary John Ballantyne, and Dr. Constance Petersen winds up on the run with the two experiences of false identities, psychoanalysis, and romance, no wonder Dr. Anthony Edwardes is 100% totally confused personality.
This is not the typical Alfred Hitchcock picture, but it is a well-crafted movie and above all else, ‘SPELLBOUND’ is loads of fun to watch. As with a lot of mysteries or thrillers, if you sit down and think about the events, you’ll notice some glaring holes, but trust me, you’ll be too drawn into the film to notice while you watch. A lot of the press on Spellbound is given to the dream sequence, which was designed by artist Salvador Dali and of course, is a most unique and interesting stretch of cinema. But it was trimmed down a lot, so while it is an important part of the movie, I don’t think it is as vital as some claim it to be. ‘SPELLBOUND’ has some great performances, but Gregory Peck comes off a little lacking for his major role.
This never presents much of an issue however, as those around Dr. Anthony Edwardes aka John Ballantyne rise to enhance those challenging scenes in the film. In truth, the performances and material are more over the top than we’re used to in Alfred Hitchcock’s directorial efforts, but it all in all weaves together well and like I said, the movie is very enjoyable. Not as masterful as Alfred Hitchcock’s elite level thrillers, but a well done and highly entertaining motion picture.
This film is also a rare treat because the famous dream sequence told a little after two-thirds of the film has passed was conceptualized by Salvador Dali and it is apparent: eyes, a melted wheel, the obtuse architecture of the houses. This rare blend of genius alone should be enough to get anyone to want to watch this film. While the dream elements of the film by Surrealist icon Salvador Dalí are certainly memorable, despite being edited down to almost nothing by producer David O. Selznick.
It is probably the on-screen romance between Ingrid Bergman and Gregory Peck that attracted most viewers upon the film’s release. Modern critics seem to agree that the film is uneven and that the psychological theories the film is based upon are both dated and overly simplistic.
This film has a very solid foundation built upon on a wonderful screenplay which is full of the fascinating nuance both of the human psyche and of situation. A scene where Ingrid Bergman and the House Detective speak casually while she is trying to wait for Gregory Peck incognito at a hotel in New York is quite brilliantly constructed as is the scene where Ingrid Bergman and Gregory Peck arrive at a friend’s house seeking refuge and find the police there waiting for the same friend.
The film ‘SPELLBOUND’ also has a really unexpected and really spooky nerve ending twist at the end of the film with the actors Ingrid Bergman who is in imamate danger with menacing Leo G. Carroll who gets his due comeuppance in the end and before that happens you just think all is fine and dandy for Dr. Constance Petersen. The twist after resolution seemed to have been reached and seems to throw some real peril back into the equation and makes you think maybe the happy ending is not destined finally in this story. Ultimately, I think the film is quite good, but maybe not amongst Alfred Hitchcock’s best, but certainly a cut or two above the rest in the of this mysterious genre.
Director Alfred Hitchcock weaves his spell with binding magic into this Francis Beeding novel. With some opinions, this is supposed to be Alfred Hitchcock's best project from the 1940's. Powerful stars and a great story line that will keep your interest right until the final shot of the film and I recommend it to all fans of director Alfred Hitchcock and anyone interested in thrillers, mysterious encounters, so make sure you get a copy of this The Criterion Collection DVD edition to add to your collection.
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DVD Image Quality – UNITED ARTISTS and The Criterion Collection presents us the film ‘SPELLBOUND’ with a wonderful filmic 1080i Black-and-White image and shown in the 1.37:1 aspect ratio. The transfer is consistently sharp and I have seen this movie look so good, as Criterion has done some extensive restoration work here, giving us an excellent visual presentation. The restored visuals simply shine, starting with a glowing source print that shows minimal defects, a tremendous restoration effort indeed. The image is sharper than expected, though some scenes are intentionally soft, but even then, detail remains high. The contrast is well balanced also, so the black-and-white visuals remain refined and stark throughout. Another superb presentation from Criterion, who have went beyond even the extra mile here.
DVD Audio Quality – UNITED ARTISTS and The Criterion Collection brings us the film ‘SPELLBOUND’ with a 1.0 Dolby Digital Mono Audio experience and sounds pretty sharp and the audio has been restored & remastered, with terrific overall results. I heard minimal age signs here, which means the elements come through in clean and clear form, simply wonderful work. I heard no distortion with the musical score either, which is terrific news. The dialogue remains crisp and sharp at all times, with no volume errors to report. This is an excellent audio treatment, thanks to The Criterion Collections care and restoration.
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DVD Special Features and Extras:
Spectacular new digital transfer with film and sound restoration, including rare theatre Entrance and Exit music cues by master composer Miklos Rozsa.
Special Feature: Audio Commentary by Alfred Hitchcock scholar Marian Keane [2001] [1080i] [1.37:1] [112:56] This audio commentary by Alfred Hitchcock scholar Marian Keane and was recorded exclusively for The Criterion Collection in 2001. To hear the audio commentary while viewing the movie ‘SPELLBOUND,’ press the AUDIO key button on your remote control and select 1.0 Dolby Digital Mono Audio experience. It’s not an overly engaging audio track surprisingly; I guess the main problem is Marian Keane doesn’t really cover anything we haven’t heard about director Alfred Hitchcock before. Marian Keane talks about Alfred Hitchcock’s techniques from lighting to point-of-view shots, and how he’s able to make things that aren’t sinister. This is all well and good I guess, but I didn’t get anything surprising out of it and it feels as though Marian Keane is going through the motions. There are some interesting comments about plot structure, the dream sequence and its making, and a lot of anecdotes about the production, but this material is covered in other features on the DVD disc. At the end of the Marian Keane audio commentary, tends to ramble on far too much and comes out with some very American pompous rhetoric and to my mind it was total pompous garbage and should seek a sympathetic psychiatrist, that is how bad the end of this audio commentary, and is enough to put you off listening to another audio commentary by Miss Marian Keane. Please Note: Due to the amount of space I am allowed to have with my Blu-ray and DVD Reviews, so sadly I can only give you the very short version of these audio commentaries.
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Special Feature: Production Correspondence: With this featurette, we get to view a summary of Francis Beeding’s 1927 novel “The House of Dr. Edwards,” on with the film ‘SPELLBOUND’ is loosely based on. It was prepared by Vanguard Films/Selznick Studios employee Lucille D. Mereto on the 18th January, 1944. But what you actually get to view is lots of individual in-depth analyst items and they are as follows: Treatments; Analysts; Dr. May E. Roman; Psychiatric Advisor; Foreword; Production Code and Audience Feedback.
Special Feature: Stills Gallery: With this featurette, you get view hundreds of images relating to the film ‘SPELLBOUND,’ and you get to view four different headings and they are as follows: Promotion; Publicity, Behind-the-scenes and Set stills.
Special Feature: A Nightmare Ordered by Telephone: With this featurette, writer and film producer James Bigwood informs us that he had spent years tracing the origins and controversies of the Salvador Dali designed dream sequences in the film ‘SPELLBOUND.’ Thought rumours have circulated that the sequences were originally much longer, but only one cut was made. The following essay explores the dream sequence in depth, and we get to view the following extras, and they are rare behind-the-scenes photos; and sketches and paintings. So enjoy folks what you get to view.
Special Feature: The Theremin: With this featurette, we get to view the following separate featurettes and they are as follows:
Interview with Miklos Rozsa [Audio only] [1974] [1080i] [1.37:1] [28:22] With this featurette, we get to hear the following totally fascinating interview that was conducted on the 1st June, 1974 by author Rudy Behlmer in conjunction with the RCAalbume “Spellbound: The Classic Film Scores of Miklos Rozsa,” for which he wrote the extensive notes. But what we also get to hear with the composer Miklos Rozsa is the following headings: Getting involved; The score’s success; Theremin or Martenot?; The Lost Weekend and D.O.S. revisited. Please Note: You can play each heading separately of Play All. Happy listening!
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Special Feature: The Fishko Files: The Theremin [Audio only] [2001] [1080i] [1.37:1] [7:08] With this featurette, we get to hear an audio piece originally aired on The Fishko Files. Produced by Sara Fishko for WNYC, New York Public Radio.
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Special Feature: From the ether: Theremin resources: With this featurette, we get more information on the Theremin and they suggest you refer to the following: BOOKS: “Theremin: Ether Music and Espionage” by Albert Glinsky, with forward by Robert Moog, Univerity of Illinois Press. www.press.uillinois.wdu and MUSIC: Dr. Samuel J. Hoffman and the Theremin a box set including Music of the Moon [1950], and extensive notes by Gilbert Glinsky, Basta Records. www.basta.nl
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Special Feature: Theatrical Trailer [1945] [480i] [1.37:1] [2:05] This is the Original Theatrical Trailer for the film ‘SPELLBOUND.’
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Special Feature: LUX Radio presents SPELLBOUND [Audio only] [1948] [1080i] [1.37:1] [59:52] With this featurette, it was originally broadcast on the 8th March, 1948. Episode #606. Based on the 1945 Selznick International /Vanguard film ‘SPELLBOUND’ directed by Alfred Hitchcock, screenplay by Ben Hecht; adaption by Angus MacPhail, in turn based on the novel “The House of Dr. Edwardes” by Francis Beeding (pseudonym of Hilary St. John and Leslie Palmer, 1927). What you have is a menu you can select what you want to specifically listen to and they are as follows: Introduction; Play the program and The Players. But to listen to the actual LUX Radio Thetre presents SPELLBOUND, you have to press Play the program, because with heading Introduction it only gives you an in-depth information about the history of the LUX Radio Theatre radio broadcasts, so happy listening folks!
BONUS: Here we have a New DVD cover design by William Logan and Amy Hoisington.
Finally, with this splendid Alfred Hitchcock film ‘SPELLBOUND,’ it is one of Alfred Hitchcock’s more scintillating tales with wonderful performances from Ingrid Bergman and Gregory Peck. Filmed in the era where psychology was still looked upon as a crock [a person or thing that is old, decrepit, or broken-down: slang] by not only the medical profession, but the world at large, and ‘SPELLBOUND’ centres on the mind and its power for denial. The film gets a little heavy-handed in the middle with all the psycho-babble, but at least Ingrid Bergman and Gregory Peck keep it entertaining. Like most of Alfred Hitchcock's films you're never quite sure what are truly going on until the very last frame. It's pretty clear from the beginning that the most obvious suspect is not the actual killer, but it is a great deal of fun to watch Ingrid Bergman figure everything out. ‘SPELLBOUND’ gives Ingrid Bergman the chance to break out of her usual simpering, “save-me” kind of roles, by playing a strong, intelligent, unrelenting woman. Ingrid Bergman still needs to be saved and has many a “love-sick" scene in the film, however, it's a part that allows Ingrid Bergman to take centre stage and run with it right to the end of the film. Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
