★ 10 / 10
Made between November & December 1976, Premiered at
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Made between November & December 1976, Premiered at Cannes in 1977, "where it won a Award I might add", (Released in 1978 after cuts and an extra scene was put…
Made between November & December 1976, Premiered at Cannes in 1977, "where it won a Award I might add", (Released in 1978 after cuts and an extra scene was put in ) the entire movie was Filmed on Location in London, and a couple of interiors shot at the old Lee International Film Studios (Wembely) later known as Fountain Studios, now sadly demolished. I "Totally ADORE this film", but admit I am bias, for it was the very "First" feature Film I worked on as a Professional Child Actor, and in scenes with Mia Farrow,(The Playground Sequence), sadly my close up and speaking part was dropped on the re edit after Cannes, one of a few to tighten up the pace of the film, but you can still spot me in it 4 times. Enough of me though and on to the Film, and why I think it is a superb Horror Film,
The Music by Colin Towns is hauntingly beautiful, and fits the film perfectly, (a rare thing), the Cinematography by Peter Hannan is equally, Stunning, shot on anamorphic lenses, it captures the dank winter feel,which emphasizes the loose Julia (Mia Farrow's character) feels, I can not praise Hannan's work highly enough, Having had the pleasure to work with him on two films, here he captures every scene beautifully, The story is well crafted, and leads up to a great climax, it is a slow reveal, so don't expect jump scares and gallons of blood, there in it, but done with a much more subtle way, think creepy and sad more than in your face horror, the performances from all the cast are great, and include Jullian Fellowes, Nigel Havers, Peter Sallis,Keir Dullea, Sophie Ward, Samantha Gates,Ann Michell, Tom Conti, Jill Bennett, to name a few, (see imdb for full cast list) Only ever released on VHS once by MEDIA HOME Entertainment (Part of the Herron group) in 1982, it was mostly forgotten,except for hard core fans, until Film Historian Simon Fitzjohn read an item printed by the BFI back in 2016, and set out on a mission to get the film re released, after 7 years of extreme hard work, having tracked down a copy to watch and falling deeply in love with the film, as much as I had, over the 47 years since I worked on it. in April 2023, it was re released on 4K UHD DVD & Blu-ray, by the BFI in UK,IMPRINT in Australia, & Scream Factory in USA, and Le Chat Qui Fume in France, in collectors editions, in a fully restored print direct from the original 35mm Colour Film Negative that sat in Technicolor's Vaults, If you love shots of 1970's London, Classic cars, (we see Routemaster Buses, Land Rover, Austin Black Cabs, Mk3 Ford Cortina, Citron DS, etc, and a Haunting soundtrack and visually stunning and beautiful Film, then I think you will enjoy FULL CIRCLE(UK Original Title) aka THE HAUNTING OF JULIA (Original USA release Title in 1981)and the same tile used on the 1982 VHS Video Tape release. Directed by Richard Loncraine, my rating for the film is 10 out of 10 both as a die hard horror fan, and as a member of the Cast, not my best work from a clearly seen point of view due to the scene cuts, but it will always remain one of my personal favorites, as working with Mia Farrow was amazing, and some of my fellow Barbara Speake Stage School friends.and a great Crew.
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★ 6 / 10
Ambiguous Ghost Story
In London, while having breakfast with her parents Julia (Mia Farrow) and Magnus Lofting (Keir Dullea), the girl Kate (Sophie Ward) chokes with a fruit and…
In London, while having breakfast with her parents Julia (Mia Farrow) and Magnus Lofting (Keir Dullea), the girl Kate (Sophie Ward) chokes with a fruit and dies. The grieving Julia has a breakdown and moves to an institution. When she is released, she leaves her husband and buys and moves to an apartment. However, she does not look for a psychiatrist as recommended by the doctor, and her friend Mark Berkeley (Tom Conti), who is an antique dealer, tries to help her. Julia has the feeling that Kate is watching her. Meanwhile, Magnus, who lives with her fortune, unsuccessfully wants that Julia returns to their house. When Julia meets Magnus' sister Lily Lofting (Jill Bennett), she asks her to not give her address to Magnus. Soon Lily asks Julia to have a séance at her home, and she allows. The medium, Mrs. Flood (Anna Wing), contacts a girl and is scary with the ghost. But Julia believes it is Kate and seeks out answers."Full Circle", a.k.a. "The Haunting of Julia", is an ambiguous ghost story developed in slow pace. The flawed plot has characters that vanish, like Lilly and Magnus (nobody misses and seeks him out?). The killing spree is ambiguous, and is not clear that the evil ghost of Olivia does exist or it is a vision of the disturbed Julia. Is Julia possessed by Olivia and commits the crime spree? Or is she disturbed and killing her acquaintances and herself? The performances are excellent, highlighting Mia Farrow, but the screenplay could be better. My vote is six.Title (Brazil): "Demônio com Cara de Anjo" ("Devil with Angel Face")
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59%
AUDIENCE
· 250 ratings
6.2/10
3.7K
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Boring... Just as Rosemary's Baby.