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Rent Seance on a Wet Afternoon Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental

Rent Seance on a Wet Afternoon (1964)

3.8 of 5 from 99 ratings
1h 51min
  • General info
  • Available formats
Synopsis:
Myra Savage, a highly-strung spiritual medium, convinces her weak-willed husband to fake a child kidnapping so she can offer her services to the parents when all seems lost. Though horrified at the prospect, he reluctantly goes along with the plan but becomes more convinced than ever that Myra is losing her grip on reality.
Actors:
, , , , , , , , Judith Donner, , , , , , , , , , ,
Directors:
Writers:
Mark McShane, Bryan Forbes
Others:
Gerry Turpin
Studio:
Carlton Video
Genres:
Classics, Drama, Thrillers
Collections:
Richard Attenborough: A Centenary Special Instant Expert's Guide, The Instant Expert's Guide, The Instant Expert's Guide to Basil Dearden
Awards:

1965 BAFTA Best Actor

BBFC:
Release Date:
05/06/2006
Run Time:
111 minutes
Languages:
English Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono
Subtitles:
None
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 1.78:1 / 16:9
Colour:
B & W
Bonus:
  • New exclusive commentary by Bryan Forbes and Nanette Newman
  • Memories on a Wet Afternoon – an interview with Bryan Forbes
  • Original theatrical trailer
  • Image gallery, including some rare, behind-the-scenes stills
  • Bryan Forbes' shooting script in PDF format
BBFC:
Release Date:
13/01/2020
Run Time:
116 minutes
Languages:
English Dolby Digital 1.0, English LPCM Mono
Subtitles:
English
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 1.66:1
Colour:
B & W
BLU-RAY Regions:
B
Bonus:
  • Memories on a Wet Afternoon, an interview with Bryan Forbes
  • Image gallery

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Reviews (2) of Seance on a Wet Afternoon

The Odd Couple. - Seance on a Wet Afternoon review by LC

Spoiler Alert
01/06/2021

For much of it's length, this story of a child kidnapping gone wrong is essentially a two-hander, and both Richard Attenborough and Kim Stanley put in incredible performances as a hen-pecked husband and his mentally-unbalanced wife. The film is well-shot, allowing both actors equal opportunity to shine, whilst the plot has plenty of tension and enough twists for the climax to keep you guessing how it will all end up (at least on first viewing). Highly recommended for any fans of classic British thrillers.

1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.

Gothic chiller. - Seance on a Wet Afternoon review by Steve

Spoiler Alert
11/09/2023

Slow burning psychological drama primarily remembered for Kim Stanley's Oscar nominated role as a mentally disturbed medium who kidnaps a young girl on the demands of her stillborn son. And in the hope that she will be revered for finding the abducted child with her special gift. And she is chilling, and brings a touch of American gothic to Wimbledon.

Richard Attenborough is also excellent as her browbeaten husband who just wants his wife to be well again. But how far will he go? It's mostly a two-hander, just opened out to include the investigation into their crime. While it's a drama, there are also tremors of suspense and horror, which are intensified by John Barry's atmospheric, eerie score.

Brian Forbes directs with considerable style, and his script also includes a satisfying thread of dark humour. The deliberate pacing allows a perverse, unsettling ambience to settle over the film. However the premise is slight and overextended. It's too long, and the film comes to a dead stop at the midpoint which the dialogue is unable to resuscitate.  

Then it recovers for a powerfully sombre and daunting conclusion. The visuals are stunning, especially the photography and set design. It isn't a complete success, but still imaginative and strange and embellished by Kim Stanley's otherworldly performance, as if a tragic Tennessee Williams heroine has strayed into a classic of the British New Wave.

0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.

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