I caught this again on TV the other day. I had to give it some love.
It's a perfectly crafted horror movie. There are many levels of storytelling here that reveal themselves with repeated viewings. I can only imagine how much more effective it was back in the day when the women's lib movemnet was such a hot-button issue.
Regardless of that, it's still a fine example of building suspense and dread. The masterstroke, I feel, is the way the audience is much more aware of what's happening than Rosemary is. We know she's in deep trouble, but she is mostly unaware until it's too late.
The personification of witches as annoying old busy-bodies works wonders. It makes the characters not only believable, but inherently dislikable on many levels. It also makes them appear deceptively harmless.
The dreams sequences are the best ever caught on film. It's the only time I ever feel like I'm actually IN this character's dreams. Masterfully done.
The ending (no spoilers here) is perfect. From the grand implications of Rosemary's final decision to simple humorous touches like Ruth Gordon rubbing the floor where the knife fell.
This is wonderful movie that I don't think enough modern horror fans have seen. Definitely check it out. It's worth seeing again and again.
It's a perfectly crafted horror movie. There are many levels of storytelling here that reveal themselves with repeated viewings. I can only imagine how much more effective it was back in the day when the women's lib movemnet was such a hot-button issue.
Regardless of that, it's still a fine example of building suspense and dread. The masterstroke, I feel, is the way the audience is much more aware of what's happening than Rosemary is. We know she's in deep trouble, but she is mostly unaware until it's too late.
The personification of witches as annoying old busy-bodies works wonders. It makes the characters not only believable, but inherently dislikable on many levels. It also makes them appear deceptively harmless.
The dreams sequences are the best ever caught on film. It's the only time I ever feel like I'm actually IN this character's dreams. Masterfully done.
The ending (no spoilers here) is perfect. From the grand implications of Rosemary's final decision to simple humorous touches like Ruth Gordon rubbing the floor where the knife fell.
This is wonderful movie that I don't think enough modern horror fans have seen. Definitely check it out. It's worth seeing again and again.
