Mephisto Waltz

Mephisto Waltz
by Paul Wendkos

Our Price: $55.00
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $9.95 (click here)
Category: VHS Video
See more movie releases

Buy this VHS video movie at online store in your country
Canada

Product details

Actor: Alan Alda, Barbara Parkins, Bradford Dillman, Jacqueline Bisset, William Windom
Director: Paul Wendkos
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Original Language), Analog
Format: Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
Release Date: 1998-11-11
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Publisher: 20th Century Fox
Studio: 20th Century Fox

VHS Movie Reviews of Mephisto Waltz

Movie Review: Devilish!
Summary: 3 Stars

This very Seventies, post-Rosemary's Baby (1968) horror thriller is remembered fondly by many viewers for its dated aspects. A pre-M.A.S.H. Alan Alda plays music journalist Myles Clarkson, whose own career as a pianist was earlier squelched by critical disdain. He lives modestly with his gorgeous wife (Jacqueline Bisset) and precocious child (perennial child star of the era, Pamela Ferdyn). Interviewing aging musical maestro Duncan Ely (Curt Jurgens), Alda is drawn into Ely's rich, sinister milieu that includes his far too young concubine Roxanne (an unforgettable Barbara Parkins, in perhaps her keynote role) and other wealthy Satanists. Alda returns to the piano with increased fervor following Jurgens' death, and has appeared to inherit his mentor's death supernaturally. But the devil must be paid his due, and soon lots of innocent lambs begin to die unexpectedly. Bisset, unable to convince others about the conspiracy against her, decides to fight fire with brimstone in a largely unsatisfying fadeout.

The Mephisto Waltz can be interpreted as a reactionary response to the then-current relaxed attitudes towards "alternative lifestyles," be it living together without the benefit of marriage or being the member of a murderous devil worshipping cult. Alda and Bisset appear to be in an "open marriage" living arrangement, with the latter seemingly indifferent to Alda's affair with Parkins. Jurgens' curious funeral in the film, attended by eccentric mourners with arcane rituals performed by Parkins is defended by Alda who declares, "I always respect others' religious beliefs!"

The affluent, bourgeois devil cult in The Mephisto Waltz recalls the Palladists in Val Lewton's The Seventh Victim (1943). Coincidentally, that film's director Mark Robson would later guide Parkins in an entirely different sort of horror film, the execrable adaptation of Jacqueline Susanne's Valley of the Dolls (1967).

Director Paul Wendkos films the proceedings in a wildly expressionistic style, with many eccentric camera angles and lens diffusions. Careful viewers will detect odd, occult images crowding even the most prosaic scenes, with odd bits of d?cor cluttering shelves and walls. While rich in atmosphere, horror fans may be taken aback by the film's exceedingly mild content. There is no violence, and very light nudity and sex. Discounting a wild costume party, there are no expected satanic orgies, and no appearances from the Cloven Hoofed One, although a human face mask worn by Ely's attack dog makes for an arresting image. The plot, hinging on the hoary old device of "soul transference," was recently disinterred for the now-forgotten horror thriller The Skeleton Key in 2005.

The Mephisto Waltz has often been mistaken for a made-for-TV movie, where many viewers have noted the presence of a boom mike from full-frame TV presentations.

Movie Review: One cool movie!
Summary: 4 Stars

I really enjoyed it and can't wait for it to be made into a DVD.
Barbara Parkins at her chilling best-what a beauty-
how ICY perfect for the part.
She never really gets much credit [what a shame]
Loved the ending twist and cool camera angles and what a soundtrack.

Movie Review: Stop winning, just lay back & enjoy it!
Summary: 5 Stars

Ok, so the book was much better....... but the move is still quite compelling & mesmerizing. Slow at times, yet true to life-I mean, that's how I conjure the Devil when I need him for something!

Movie Review: This Was No Rosemary's Baby Rip-off
Summary: 5 Stars

I loved this movie! I just discovered the book and am waiting patiently for it to arrive. Why do people say it is a Rosemary's Baby ripoff? It is nothing like Rosemary's Baby except the satanist angle. Are all satanist movies RB rip-offs? I don't think so. I also thought Alan Alda did a fabulous job. It's the one time I thought he was sexy in a movie. The other reviewers have given the plot of the movie so I won't repeat them. I will just say I am entertained every time I see it.

Movie Review: disappointing
Summary: 2 Stars

2 1/2 stars.alan alda and jaqueline bisset star in this tale of satanism.what starts off as promising soon falters.alda saves this from being terrible though as he does the best with what he's given.bisset is well...bisset.the thing with her is that she can't act but who really cares as she is one of the most beautiful women ever.all in all though,both of their roles aren't enough to save this.i was hoping that the story would go in a certain direction but didn't.infact the story that they chose to go with borders on ludicrous,probably due to the writers not knowing how else to end it,which is very unfortunate.worth watching once,though i wouldn't buy it.

Write your own review

General Video

Video Genres

Movies most talked about in General Video

Late for Dinner
MGM (Video & DVD); Release date: 1998-09-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $16.99

Earthling, The
Good Times Video; Release date: 2001-05-15; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $40.00

Star Wars Trilogy (Special Edition)
20th Century Fox; Release date: 1997-08-26; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $5.00
Price in other shops: ~~$49.98~~

Godzilla 1985
Starz / Anchor Bay; Release date: 1997-09-30; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops: ~~$11.99~~

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $52.99

Ghosts
Release date: 2001-11-30; Music CD
Best price: $18.53
Price in other shops: ~~$32.98~~

Beast With Five Fingers
MGM (Warner); Release date: 1998-09-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops: ~~$19.98~~

The Keep
Paramount; Release date: 1998-11-11; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $129.99

The Uninvited
MCA/Universal Home Video; Release date: 1998-01-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $95.94

Goosebumps -The Haunted Mask
20th Century Fox; Release date: 1996-03-12; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.25
Price in other shops: ~~$9.98~~

Similar Video, DVDs, Audio CDs

The Painted Veil
Warner Brothers; Release date: 2007-05-08; DVD
Best price: $9.62
Price in other shops: ~~$27.95~~

The Gathering Storm
Release date: 2003-02-04; DVD
Best price: $5.26
Price in other shops: ~~$14.98~~

The Boys From Brazil
Lions Gate; Release date: 1999-12-14; DVD
Best price: $4.19
Price in other shops: ~~$9.98~~

Luciano Pavarotti: The Best (Farewell Tour) Image

Luciano Pavarotti: The Best (Farewell Tour)
Release date: 2005-09-13; Music CD
Best price: $10.04
Price in other shops: ~~$17.98~~

Freaks
Warner Brothers; Release date: 2004-08-10; DVD
Best price: $11.97
Price in other shops: ~~$19.98~~

The Crucible
Twentieth Century Fox; Release date: 2004-06-01; DVD
Best price: $4.42
Price in other shops: ~~$9.98~~

Notes on a Scandal
TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT; Release date: 2007-04-17; DVD
Best price: $3.98
Price in other shops: ~~$19.98~~

American Gangster (2-Disc Unrated Extended Edition)
Universal; Release date: 2008-02-19; DVD
Best price: $9.50
Price in other shops: ~~$29.98~~