Audrey Rose – Arrow

Directed by: Robert Wise
Written by: Frank De Felitta
Starring:  Anthony Hopkins, Marsha Mason, John Beck, Susan Swift, Norman Lloyd
Year: 1977
Country: Canada
Running time: 113mins
BBFC Classification: 15

Originally marketed as a supernatural horror akin to the like of 70s mega hits The Exorcist and The Omen, Audrey Rose certainly features some creepy moments and flirts with the supernatural but is a much different beast compared to those horror titans. A mature and often tense study on the notion of reincarnation, Audrey Rose may not be straight up horror but it’s an excellent character study, an exploration of religion and rebirth, and an often-overlooked 70s great.

The Templetons (Mason and Beck) seemingly have it all: money, a great apartment in an upscale section of New York, and a wonderful healthy relationship with their young daughter Ivy (Swift). However, this apparently perfect life is upended when a slightly creepy stranger starts stalking them. Said stranger is Elliot Hoover (Hopkins) who eventually reveals to the Templetons that Ivy is the reincarnation of his dead daughter, Audrey Rose. At first scoffing at the notion the Templetons are soon forced to take action when Hoover begins to ingratiate himself into their lives not least when Ivy begins having violent episodes that may prove in fact, she is Audrey. Thus begins the battle for a child’s soul as the notion of reincarnation becomes an ever-dawning reality and a family fight to stay sane.

Based on his novel of the same name, Frank De Felitta distilled the epic book into a tight and taught screenplay that features all the big set-pieces and dramatic moments of the novel but streamlines the lengthy character building and exploration of religion. Not that the film loses any of the narrative power as arguably the film is a better version of the story: tense and scary, thought provoking and moving, losing none of the character’s integrity and still giving the viewer a satisfying look at how the possible reality of reincarnation affects and ultimately tears a family apart. The book is great but Robert Wise’s film (returning to slightly supernatural territory many years after his classic scarer The Haunting) is a taught thriller and a compelling drama. It may slip into melodramatics on occasion and those expecting another Exorcist style tale of possession may be disappointed, but Audrey Rose is a fantastic film and still packs a dramatic punch 45 years after its initial release.

While the great Robert Wise (West Side Story, The Sound of Music) keeps a tight rein on proceedings and infuses the drama with some welcome gothic stylings he’s buoyed by a stellar cast, the lead four carrying the dramatic weight of the story. Hopkins is at the top of his game, quietly commanding making the viewer veer between sympathising with him to loathing him for tearing a family apart. John Beck meanwhile is the polar opposite, still great but the rigid sceptic through and through who is determined to protect his daughter even if it splits his family apart. But its Mason and Swift who are phenomenal, the latter conveying the troubled youngster with conviction. She may lapse into hysterical screaming a tad too often but always convinces as a girl fighting for her identity and is incredible come the final third when put under hypnosis to find out whether there really are two souls at battle within her. Likewise, Mason is tremendous as the mother who is at odds with what is happening with her daughter, wanting to protect her but slowly coming round to the idea that something otherworldly is happening: not least the turmoil she experiences (and Mason brilliantly conveys) during the climactic finale when she realises, she may in fact be losing her daughter.

While not a straight up horror, Audrey Rose is certainly harrowing in parts and a fascinating look at a “what if” scenario dealing with reincarnation. An overlooked gem from what is considered the greatest decade of film.

Arrow Video will release Audrey Rose on Blu-ray 7th November 2022

SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS

• Brand new 2K restoration by Arrow Films from a new 4K scan of the original 35mm camera negative
  • High Definition (1080p) Blu-Ray presentation
  • Original lossless mono audio
  • Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • Brand new audio commentary by film critic Jon Towlson
  • Faith and Fraud, a brand new interview with magician Adam Cardone about reincarnation and belief in Audrey Rose – Cardone is an eccentric character for sure and while interesting this may be one feature for those more in tune with the world of magicians. He certainly talks fondly of the film though which is cool.
  • Then and Now, a brand new featurette looking at the New York locations used in the film – fun little feature that shows side-by-side comparisons of the locations used: the scenes featuring the location playing out next to how the location looks now in 2022. Interesting little time capsule showing how the locations have changed over the years or have pretty much stayed the same.
  • I’ve Been Here Before, archive visual essay by Lee Gambin looking at reincarnation in cinema – great and informative piece about how reincarnation has been portrayed in cinema throughout the ages. As well as discussing Audrey Rose, Gambin looks at many other films (including Heaven Can Wait, Switch and even Werewolf Woman!) and how reincarnation has been used to look at how gender, cultural and religious beliefs, and mortality have been represented in film over the years. Great stuff.
  • Investigator: The Paranormal World of Frank De Felitta, an archive interview with the author and scriptwriter of Audrey Rose – all too short but great archival interview with De Felitta who discusses his work, film industry experience, and how he came to write about reincarnation. Too much focus is perhaps given to his other famous work The Entity though it’s still fascinating and De Felitta is quite a character and talks warmly of his like of the film Audrey Rose.
  • The Role of a Mother, an archive Interview with Marsha Mason – another great interview, albeit a bit short (could have listened to Mason talk for longer about her career and experience in the film biz!), with lead Marsha Mason who talks fondly of her time making the film, her co-stars and especially director Robert Wise.
  • Hypnotist: Inside the score for Audrey Rose, an archive interview with film music historian Daniel Schweiger – sweet little feature where Schweiger looks at the music of the film and discusses composer Michael Small’s career which also saw him scoring the likes of Klute, Marathon Man and The Driver, among many others.
  • Theatrical trailer – cool trailer that amplifies the horror aspects of the film, seemingly to try and capitalize on the success of The Exorcist and The Omen.
  • Image gallery
  • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Christopher Shy – not available at the time of review.

FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Fully illustrated collectors booklet featuring new writing by critics Kimberly Lindbergs and Johnny Mains – not available at the time of review.