Spellbound
Spellbound

Movie spotlight

Spellbound

1945
Movie
111 min
English

When Dr. Anthony Edwardes arrives at a Vermont mental hospital to replace the outgoing hospital director, Dr. Constance Peterson, a psychoanalyst, discovers Edwardes is actually an impostor. The man confesses that the real Dr. Edwardes is dead and fears he may have killed him, but cannot recall anything. Dr. Peterson, however is convinced his impostor is innocent of the man's murder, and joins him on a quest to unravel his amnesia through psychoanalysis.

Insights

IMDb7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes94%
Metacritic87/100
Google Users90%
Director: Alfred HitchcockGenres: Mystery, Thriller, Romance, Film-Noir

Plot Summary

A psychiatrist falls in love with a new hospital director who is suffering from amnesia and might be a murderer. She tries to help him recover his memory and uncover the truth about his past, leading them both into a dangerous investigation. The film delves into themes of psychoanalysis, mistaken identity, and suspenseful psychological drama.

Critical Reception

Spellbound was a critical and commercial success upon its release, praised for its suspenseful direction by Alfred Hitchcock, strong performances from its lead actors, and its pioneering exploration of psychoanalytic themes in mainstream cinema. It was particularly noted for its dream sequence, designed by Salvador Dalí.

What Reviewers Say

  • Hitchcock's masterful direction builds suspense effectively.

  • Bergman and Peck deliver compelling and emotionally resonant performances.

  • The film's exploration of psychoanalysis and the subconscious is intriguing.

Google audience: Audiences generally praise the film's suspenseful plot, the strong chemistry between the lead actors, and its thought-provoking psychological elements. Some viewers find the psychoanalytic aspects dated but still appreciate the overall storytelling and Hitchcock's directorial skill.

Awards & Accolades

Won the Academy Award for Best Original Score (Miklos Rozsa) and was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Michael Chekhov), Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing.

Fun Fact

The famous dream sequence, designed by surrealist artist Salvador Dalí, was significantly edited down by Hitchcock, who felt it was too long and might alienate audiences with its complexity.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

When Leo G. Carroll ("Dr. Murchison") steps down as director of the "Green Manors" - a centre for psychoanalysis, he is replaced by Gregory Peck ("Dr. Edwardes") who immediately attracts the attention - romantic and professional - of Ingrid...

barrymost

barrymost

This intriguing little crime/thriller from the great Alfred Hitchcock isn't half bad. It's a more unusual Hitch effort, but the story has plenty of twists and turns to keep interest. Ingrid plays a kindhearted psychologist who falls in lo...

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