Mesmerized

Mesmerized DVD

Mesmerized aka: Shocked - 1984

RKO/Challenge Film Productions - 96 min.

DVD UPC/EAN # 056775128890; 090328902391; 096009010034; 090328220082; 728665901202; 779836113696; 779836224095; 5050232705483; 619543002732; 779836202598; 5050232715581; 798622307927

Cast: Jodie Foster, John Lithgow, Michael Murphy, Dan Shor, Harry Andrews, Reg Evans, Beryl Te Wiata, Sarah Peirse,Jonathan Hardy, Philip Holder, Don Selwyn, Derek Hardwick.
Screenplay: Michael Laughlin; Photography: Louis Horvath; Editor: Petra von Oelffen; Original Music: Georges Delerue; Producer: Anthony Ginnane; Director: Michael Laughlin.

A weird drama, set in the Bay of Islands area, about an innocent orphan who weds a stern older man. It is based upon the Victoria Thompson murder case in the 1880's. She becomes a woman held captive to the bizarre torment of her deranged husband. An ensuing love triangle combines passion, deception and deceit in ways that can only lead to murder; a clever murder, a revengeful murder that is based on the powers of hypnosis. This is not even close to THE PIANO. Weak acting, script and direction.

Censor Rating: M - Review Rating: C

Mesmerized

Official MP4 Trailer

AVAILABILITY OF COPIES

New NTSC VHS or R1 & R0 DVD copies are available from numerous U.S. or Canadian sources for less than $10us. Used copies are about $5. There are a large number of distributors of this title and I have yet to see one that is, technically, top notch - some are just a bit better, or worse, than another, but the dvds are somewhat technically improved. The film is presented 1.33:1 with dolby digital 2.0 sound. Some distributors have included a few extras such as major cast bios and synopsis of the film, but nothing extensive.
Starting 05 March 2014, an R0 Pal re-release became available from Australian and New Zealand resellers.

Aro Video of Wellington has rental copies for any New Zealand address.

Alice in Videoland of Christchurch has rental copies available for New Zealand addresses

DealOZ North American price comparison site for 'Mesmerized'

DealOZ North American price comparison site for 'Shocked'

STREAMING AND DOWNLOADING

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SOUNDTRACK ON AUDIO CD

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REVIEWS

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IMDB User Comments

"Technically, pic is first rate, with a fine Georges Delerue score and notable camerawork from Louis Horvath. A scene in which Lithgow's teeth are pulled out is gruesome, but overall the film, being billed as a horror item, is notably lacking in horror, suspense or tension. It remains frustratingly bland and, ultimately, rather pointless" - (Variety, November 5, 1986)

"Actors Equity will consider direct protest action against the $1.5 million film production Mesmerised for its use of five overseas actors [...] Actors Equity president Mr John McDavitt said many actors were angry that New Zealanders had been deprived of work in those roles. He considers only [Jodie] Foster was famous enough to give the film extra box office attraction overseas [...] 'The producer (Tony Ginnane) isn't the slightest bit interested in us - he casted the American actors without even auditioning Kiwis. The company is just 'using' New Zealand'" - ("Actors choose direct protest", Auckland Star, June 21, 1984)

TRAILERS & MISC

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