Secret Ceremony (1968)

Director:

Joseph Losey

Writers:

Marco Denevi (short story "Ceremonia secreta")
George Tabori (writer)

Release Date:

23 October 1968 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

No one admitted the last 12 minutes.

Plot:

A woman and the girl she insists is her long-lost daughter are caught in a web of insanity and deception in this powerful psychological thriller.

Plot Keywords:

Daughter | Stepfather | Prostitute | Psycho Thriller | Sleeping Pill

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 nomination

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Elizabeth Taylor	...	Leonora
Mia Farrow	...	Cenci
Robert Mitchum	...	Albert
Peggy Ashcroft	...	Hannah
Pamela Brown	...	Hilda

Runtime:

Germany:105 min | USA:109 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:15 (DVD rating) | UK:X (original rating) (1968-2006) | USA:R | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | West Germany:18 | USA:Approved

Filming Locations:

Associated British Elstree Studios, Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Universal Pictures

Quotes:

Leonora: Dear God, by whose mercy...
Cenci: Dear God, by whose mercy...
Leonora: ...I am shielded for a few hours...
Cenci: ...I am shielded for a few hours...
Leonora: ...let no-one snatch me from this heaven.
Cenci: ...let no-one snatch me from this heaven.

Secret Ceremony: A First-Rate Psycho-Drama.

Joseph Losey's brilliant psychological drama follows the strange relationship between a prostitute(Elizabeth Taylor) and a waif-like girl(Mia Farrow) who resembles her deceased daughter. Taylor also bears an incredible likeness to Farrow's deceased mother, enabling the two women to create a world of their own where they can live as mother and daughter. Their secret world is disrupted, however, when Farrow's lecherous stepfather(Robert Mitchum) enters the scene. "Secret Ceremony" features expert performances from all, but it is Elizabeth Taylor who walks away with the honors, delivering a truly moving portrayal of an emotionally broken woman searching for some stability in her life. It's one of her most daring roles, and Miss Taylor handles it like the consummate actress that she is. The screenplay is by George Tabori, based on the prize-winning short story by Marco Denevi. (Universal later cut footage from the film and added extra scenes to make the picture acceptable for a television audience. Luckily, the video version is the original, uncut theatrical release).