The Stepford Wives (1975)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Bryan Forbes

Writers:

Ira Levin (novel)
William Goldman (screenplay)

Release Date:

12 February 1975 (USA)

Genre:

Fantasy | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Something strange is happening in the town of Stepford.

Plot:

Joanna Eberhart has come to the quaint little town of Stepford, Connecticut with her family, but soon discovers there lies a sinister truth in the all too perfect behavior of the female residents.

Plot Keywords:

Robot | Cleaning | Housewife | Secret | Photographer

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Katharine Ross	...	Joanna Eberhart
Paula Prentiss	...	Bobbie Markowe
Peter Masterson	...	Walter Eberhart
Nanette Newman	...	Carol Van Sant
Tina Louise	...	Charmaine Wimpiris
Carol Eve Rossen	...	Dr. Fancher (as Carol Rossen)
William Prince	...	Ike Mazzard
Carole Mallory	...	Kit Sunderson
Toni Reid	...	Marie Axhelm
Judith Baldwin	...	Patricia Cornell
Barbara Rucker	...	Mary Ann Stravros
George Coe	...	Claude Axhelm
Franklin Cover	...	Ed Wimpiris
Robert Fields	...	Raymond Chandler
Michael Higgins	...	Mr. Cornell

Runtime:

115 min | UK:100 min (2004 DVD release) | UK:110 min (2001 DVD release)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (TVC)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | Iceland:16 | Australia:M | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Darien, Connecticut, USA

Company:

Fadsin Cinema Associates

Trivia:

According to screenwriter William Goldman in "Adventures in Screen Writing" (Ch 6), this was the only project he has been involved with that he knew was doomed even before production began. The original concept was that if men were going to murder their wives and replace them with robots, the replacements had better "be in the form of a Playboy Bunny". The concept was tossed when director Bryan Forbes cast his wife Nanette Newman in the film, as per contract. Newman was "an English actress in her mid-40s. An attractive brunette and very talented, but a sex bomb she wasn't". As the result of casting Newman, Forbes and Goldman had an ongoing feud and out went "the parade of Bunnies walking through the A&P in shorts on their perfect tanned legs" and in came the summertime wear of "long dresses to the floor and big-brimmed hats".

Goofs:

Continuity: When Joanna has first moved into Stepford she is relaxing on the couch holding a drink. Between shots, her drink changes from dark to light color, and the glass from half full to full.

Quotes:

Bobbie Markowe: Am I game? Am I GAME? Boy! Am I game!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Supernatural: Lucifer Rising (#4.22)" (2009)

Superb, Timeless Chiller

This film's lack of urgency is what makes it chillingly effective. Patiently, director Forbes creates unbearable tension by simply taking baby steps when it comes to character development and plot twists. It is a time capsule, but one whose artistry alone has kept it alive and relevant. It was meant to be a social critique, but I think it is phenomenally successful as both a very dark black comedy and as a horror movie. Forbes accentuates the story's strong stand against conservative values and complacency, without ever neglecting the dark, horrific elements found in the story. Also, it is savagely funny once you know the punch line. Katherine Ross is excellent as the movie's heroine, and Paula Prentiss steals every scene she's in as Ross' friend and confidant. Kudos to Owen Roizman's antiseptic cinematography, Michael Small's chilling score and Timothy Gee's meticulous editing. William Goldman's script is also top class. A film that deserves its cult status. Atrociously remade by Frank Oz in 2004.