Seems tame today but still delivers chills...

Rating: 6/10 (28 August 2006)

Since ROSEMARY'S BABY came upon the scene so many years ago, we've had a great many supernatural tales (THE OMEN, THE SIXTH SENSE) to name just a couple of the more recent scary titles, that it's no wonder someone viewing this for the first time might feel cheated.
The audiences of '68 were used to this kind of slow build-up to a plot that kept audiences waiting for revelations explaining some mysterious goings-on in an uptown apartment house called The Dakota. They didn't expect slasher gore or quick cuts to show gruesome body parts on display. They wanted the story to develop at its own pace and then deliver the goods for a substantial conclusion.
And this is what ROSEMARY'S BABY does so efficiently. It starts slowly and only gradually do we come to realize that something much more serious than just eccentric neighbors is going on here. Best of the eccentrics is RUTH GORDON who rightfully won a Supporting Role Oscar for her work as Minnie, the overly solicitous neighbor who watches so carefully over the pregnant MIA FARROW. Hubby JOHN CASSAVETES seems to be concerned too but that turns out to be for other reasons.
There are several good supporting roles, but another performer who stands out is RALPH BELLAMY as the doctor Rosemary confides in when she begins to suspect things are wrong.
It's a good screen version of Ira Levin's novel and MIA FARROW does a commendable job as the worried and confused young wife. Well worth a look as a modern Gothic thriller.