Product: Rosemary's Baby (El Bebe de Rosemary) [ NON-USA FORMAT, NTSC, Reg.4 Import - Latin America ] (1968)
Rating: 5.0
The Devil is in the detail
Mr Evans hit the jackpot when he asked Mr Polanski if he would direct Mr Levin's novel. A 20th century master, Mr Polanski brings his touch to every aspect of the film so that the look of the elevator attendant(who turns out to be her helmsman in the dream sequence on the river Styx in hades perhaps?) or the tradesman, when the Woodhouses are inspecting their new apartment, or the unfinished note of the former 89 year old tenant which reads "I can no longer associate myself...." help to unsettle the viewer. Equally helpful is the striking physical vulnerability of Ms Farrow. Sound too is incredibly powerful - Mr Kosteda's music from the mysterious lullaby which opens and closes the film to the shattering discordant atonal trumpet which accompanies Ms Farrow's ascent in the elevator fleeing the Satanists is strikingly effective. Mr Polanski's ability to transform the loving older actor Ms Ruth Gordon into a character one is fearful of shows his skills most tellingly - such as her striking costumes, including a monstrous blue and white head scarf which in its ballooning size dominates the screen at one point. Where you see lots of colour and jolly talk in this film, be afraid. An unquestionable masterpiece with interesting interviews with Mr Polanski and set designer and producer in the support material.