Freud (1962)

This pseudo-biographical movie depicts 5 years from 1885 on in the life of the Viennan psychologist Freud (1856-1939). At this time, most of his colleagues refuse to cure hysteric patients,... See full summary »

Director:

John Huston

Writers:

Charles Kaufman (screenplay), Charles Kaufman (story),

Stars:

Montgomery Clift, Susannah York, Larry Parks

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Montgomery Clift	...	Sigmund Freud
Susannah York	...	Cecily Koertner
Larry Parks	...	Dr. Joseph Breuer
Susan Kohner	...	Martha Freud
Eileen Herlie	...	Frau Ida Koertner
Fernand Ledoux	...	Dr. Charcot
David McCallum	...	Carl von Schlossen
Rosalie Crutchley	...	Frau Freud
David Kossoff	...	Jacob Freud
Joseph Fürst	...	Herr Jacob Koertner
Alexander Mango	...	Babinsky
Leonard Sachs	...	Brouhardier
Eric Portman	...	Dr. Theodore Meynert
John Huston	...	Narrator (voice)
Victor Beaumont	...	Dr. Guber

Storyline

This pseudo-biographical movie depicts 5 years from 1885 on in the life of the Viennan psychologist Freud (1856-1939). At this time, most of his colleagues refuse to cure hysteric patients, because they believe they're just simulating to gain attention. But Freud learns to use hypnosis to find out the reasons for the psychosis. His main patient is a young woman who refuses to drink water and is plagued by always the same nightmare.

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Plot Keywords:

sigmund freud | psychoanalysis | one word title | character name in title

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 December 1962 (USA)

Also Known As:

Freud: The Secret Passion

Filming Locations:

Bavaria Filmstudios, Geiselgasteig, Grünwald, Bavaria, Germany

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bavaria Film, Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

140 min 120 min (theatrical) 140 min (original)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jean-Paul Sartre wrote the original script at the request of director John Huston, but it was unused as it was too long. It was later published in book form as "The Freud Scenario."

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Connections

Referenced in El don de la duda (2006)

User Reviews

MEMORABLE!

I saw this film 40 years ago and see that no VHS is available,

which is a pity. It is much better than "The Young Freud" which has

recently been showing on PBS. It captures in some depth the

creativity and uniqueness of Freud's early discoveries, which were

amplified by him and others throughout the 20th century and into

the 21st. We see him doggedly and devotedly looking for the root

causes of a psychological illness which masqueraded as a

physical (neurological) illness for centuries. His discoveries,

stemming from this time, have greatly influenced modern thinking,

such that we call our times "The Age of Anxiety." They have led to

the appreciation of childhood sexuality and abuse and have taken

psychological abuse out from under the carpet, where these

pivotal events have been hidden for centuries. Freud was able to

see the classic appeal of the Greek tragedies and interpret why

they retain their power and are performed today, 3000 years later!