Rosemary’s Baby * * * * 1/2
Director: Roman Polanski.
Screenplay: Roman Polanski.
Starring: Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer, Ralph Bellamy, Charles Grodin, Maurice Evans, Victoria Vetri, Patsy Kelly, Elisha Cook, Jr, Patricia O’Neal.
Psychological torture and terror have been a consistant theme throughout director Roman Polanski’s career but few, if any, have been executed as skillfully as this adaptation of Ira Levin’s bestselling novel.
Rosemary (Mia Farrow) and Guy Woodhouse (John Cassavetes) move into a new apartment with the hope of starting a family. Shortly after their arrival they meet their new neighbours, a very friendly elderly couple named Roman (Sidney Blackmer) and Minnie Castevet (Ruth Gordon). Not before long, odd things start to happen and Rosemary has strange dreams and hears strange noises while Guy becomes remote and distant and begins to spend a lot of time with the new neighbours. Then Rosemary falls pregnant and begins to suspect that her neighbours are involved in the occult and have something to do with her poor health and her unborn child.
As soon as the opening credits are rolling, Polanski already sets the eerie tone with simple use of a childlike lullaby and creepy music. He’s a masterful director who’s in complete control of his material and his use of surreal, dreamlike imagery coupled with muffled voices through the wall is horror genius and deeply unsettling. It’s a proficiently crafted horror with the story unravelling at it’s own pace, as Rosemary’s grip on reality and her sanity are in question. Polanski also keeps us guessing just like the conflicted protaganist, while cranking up the suspense and paranoia deliberately but assuredly, helped by excellent performances throughout, particularly Ruth Gordon (in an Oscar winning role) and Sidney Blackmer as the creepy interfering neighbours. What’s even more fascinating is the spooky coincidences that followed the film; Polanski’s pregnant wife Sharon Tate was murdered – a year after the film was made – in 1969 by Charles Manson and his followers, who titled their death spree “Helter Skelter” after the 1968 song by The Beatles and this bands prominent member John Lennon would later be murdered outside the very Manhattan apartment building where Rosemary’s Baby was filmed. The history and association of this film is a story in itself.
A restrained, deliberately paced and intelligent psychological horror of the finest kind. It doesn’t stoop to cheap shock tactics but simply chips away at the psyche of it’s character, not to mention ours aswell.
Mark Walker
MARKED MOVIES 
June 28, 2012 at 7:19 pm
Thanks Mark. The facts that you later explained about the strange incidences truly scared me a little. Even Exorcist, as you must be knowing, had a curse. I find these type of movies quite creepy. Nevertheless, it’s Polanski so you can’t say No.
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June 28, 2012 at 8:23 pm
The facts on this were really freaky man. It seemed like more than just mere coincidence. They could make a film about that on it’s own but you’re right, film’s that have a supposed curse on them tend to be even scarier.
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June 29, 2012 at 3:05 pm
Great post! I too found the horrifying truths surrounding the film creepy, and more than a coincidence. I mentioned that in my post about this movie too, and it seems not too many people realize it, or care. But I think it’s fascinating. Also, perfect, perfect film. Nice post! 🙂
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June 29, 2012 at 7:44 pm
Thank you miss! Glad you also see it. It totally freaks me out. Can you maybe send a link to that review of yours? I’d be interested in reading it.
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July 19, 2012 at 3:47 pm
Great review, what I liked about it was that it relies on psychological games and atmosphere rather than blood and gore.
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July 19, 2012 at 4:08 pm
Absolutely! The best kind of horror always plays on the mind. The history behind it all was quite freaky as well though.
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July 19, 2012 at 4:13 pm
Totally agree. I have noticed certain similarities between this and Polanksi’s other film Repulsion, they both have female characters in an apartment suffering psychological difficulties. Would you agree?
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July 19, 2012 at 4:54 pm
Your spot on there Vinnie. Apparently they are part of a loose trilogy of Polanski’s. The other being The Tenant.
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August 29, 2012 at 5:24 pm
Oh wow, yeah. That IS kind of a sppoky string of coincidences. I never knew this was filmed at the Dakota. That gives everything a weird kind of circular connection…
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August 29, 2012 at 5:30 pm
Exactly man. The Beatles Helter Skelter/Manson/Polanski’s Wife Sharon Tate and the death of John Lennon? Come on man. That’s just too fucking freaky.
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November 20, 2015 at 10:56 am
I revisited this movie recently and it’s still as creepy as I remember. Please check my review out.
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November 20, 2015 at 11:00 am
I seen your post in my inbox, mate. I intend to work my way round to it. I often choose what to read when the notions comes rather than in any particular order. It’s a fabulous film. The atmosphere is unbearable.
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November 20, 2015 at 11:02 am
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on my review.
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November 20, 2015 at 11:03 am
I’ll be sure to drop a comment, bud! 🙂
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November 20, 2015 at 11:04 am
You rock man.
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