Rosemary's Baby (BFI Film Classics)

An excellent examination of the horror classic. As with all BFI Classics volumes, it intermingles the film's production, history and reception with close reading and a discussion of cultural impact; and also as with all, the connections it draws are revelatory and insightful. I also appreciate how concise but thorough all books in the series are, including this one; you can read it in a day and feel like you've learned a lot. Surprising that Ruth Gordon isn't introduced when the other actors are, particularly given that she won the Oscar (although she is introduced, perhaps too concisely, later); also after quoting a handful of negative reviews, I'd have appreciated quotes from the positive ones alluded to. Some points seemed to me a stretch (Guy as father figure, for example). The discussions of matters of the uncanny, male control of women, conspiracy theories and intergenerational relations (relevant in particular for a film of the late 60s) are particular enlightening. Fans of the film and the book series will appreciate this smart critical commentary.

Rosemary's Baby (BFI Film Classics Series) by Michael Newton is part of the relaunch of this wonderful series. The books provide an overview of the production, reception, and cultural context for each film, as well as some analytical and interpretive discussion. This volume is a great example of what these books offer: an accessible wealth of information to enhance both viewing and understanding.Rosemary's Baby was made and released during a pivotal time in both film history and US history. It reflects as well as comments on many of the issues of the day. Newton does a commendable job of working through the story itself, bringing key elements to the fore while offering several ways of understanding the action. He also addresses the subtle changes between Levin's novel and Polanski's screenplay (and also between the screenplay as written and what ended up on screen).I found Newton's ability to put forth what seems to be his preferred reading of the film while also explaining and giving substantive background for readings that he may not fully agree with, or at least that he doesn't find as compelling. This fair-handed approach gives the reader a wide range of ideas with which to approach their next viewing of the film. I know that I am looking forward to watching the movie again.This is not a "fluff" book in that neither gossip nor speculation is added just to make it more popular. Yet while it does track closer to something academic it is still readily accessible to a casual film lover. Popular film critics are quoted as often as academic film scholars. Because the personal lives of many of the key people are relevant, there is some discussion on the subject but only as it applies to either the filmmaking (Farrow's marital issues near the end) or the cultural aftermath (Manson, Tate, etc).I would highly recommend this to movie fans and fans in particular of Rosemary's Baby. If you haven't seen the movie yet, I would strongly suggest you watch it first, but this would be a great book to read immediately after the first time you watch the movie.Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

I was very excited to have the chance to review this book, as Rosemary's Baby is both a favorite book and a favorite movie of mine. Ira Levin (who Newton rightly calls "The Poet Laureate of Paranoia") wrote a nearly perfect story and Roman Polanski then made a nearly perfect film as well.I enjoyed learning the backstory I never knew about the making of the film, like the influence of William Castle (whose previous movie, Macabre, I am now going to have to watch - seeing as the audiences signed insurance policies against death by fright), the fact that Hitchcock passed on directing the movie (what!?), the inspired casting of Mia Farrow, and more. I would have enjoyed seeing what Jack Nicholson would have done in the role of Guy and had no idea he tried out. The book is filled with little gems like this that even a superfan like me did not know.I also appreciated that the author did not shy away from Polanski's penchant for rape scenes in his movies, and the author also considered the impact of Polanski's personal history on this. It would be hard for me to view any book written on Rosemary's Baby in this era seriously without such a discussion. The scene described here is pivotal to the movie and well-analyzed by the author. I also appreciated the way the author pointed out the differences between the book and the movie and how the decisions Polanski made in particular about Rosemary's passivity impacted the movie, raising the question of whether Polanski (like Hitchcock) was intending to point out misogyny, or rather was enjoying filming it a little too much.On a lighter note, there are some great photos in this book - both stills from the movie and behind the scenes and contextual photos that I had never seen before.Overall a very thoughtful and contemporary critique of a great movie. I will be purchasing a physical copy of this book for my bookshelf. Thanks to NetGalley, Michael Newton and the publisher for the advance copy, which is well worth your time.

I am going to vote this book as a classic. The writing just sings off the page and the way Newton can introduce an unrelated idea that I had never considered exemplifies the entire way he views this incredible film and novel. He is also very clever at building up the expense - I was reading his book alone, at night, and I really did spook myself. Writing at this level is absolutely stunning. All I can say is Newton's students are the luckiest in the world.