Repulsion (1965)

Left alone when her sister goes on vacation, a young beauty finds herself besieged on all sides by the demons of her past.

Director:

Roman Polanski

Writers:

Roman Polanski (original screenplay), Gérard Brach (original screenplay),

Stars:

Catherine Deneuve, Ian Hendry, John Fraser

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 4 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Catherine Deneuve	...	Carol
Ian Hendry	...	Michael
John Fraser	...	Colin
Yvonne Furneaux	...	Helen
Patrick Wymark	...	Landlord
Renee Houston	...	Miss Balch
Valerie Taylor	...	Madame Denise
James Villiers	...	John
Helen Fraser	...	Bridget
Hugh Futcher	...	Reggie
Monica Merlin	...	Mrs. Rendlesham
Imogen Graham	...	Manicurist
Mike Pratt	...	Workman

Storyline

A Belgian girl, Carol, works as a manicurist at a London beauty salon. While having lunch, a good looking young man, Colin, spots her and makes a date for another evening. She shares a flat with her sister Helen. Her sister's married lover, Michael, brings out her dislike of men which she cannot explain to Colin. Michael takes Helen abroad for a holiday. Left alone in their flat, Carol's moments of catalepsy and hallucination increase and deepen into madness.

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Plot Keywords:

hallucination | belgian | manicurist | vacation | cigarette smoking | 

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Taglines:

The nightmare world of a virgin's dreams becomes the screen's shocking reality!

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Genres:

Horror | Thriller

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 October 1965 (USA)

Also Known As:

Repulsión

Filming Locations:

Earl's Court, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$300,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Compton Films, Tekli British Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Features the first depiction of female orgasm (sound only) to be passed by the British Board of Film Censors.

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Goofs

The position between shots of the telephone and the envelope when Carole picks up the rabbit and goes to answer the phone.

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Quotes

Hélène Ledoux: Why did you throw Michael's things away?
Carole Ledoux: I don't like them there.

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Connections

Referenced in Freeze Me (2000)

User Reviews

Brilliant, the most chilling movie of all time

This is the most effective movie ever made. It's about a sexually repressed woman who is left alone in her apartment for the weekend, and then suffers a series of bizarre and disturbing hallucinations. Catherine Deneuve gives a nerve-racking performance in this heart stopping movie. This is a true horror movie, with a fear that is beyond our imagination. Roman Polanski executes this movie perfectly, the music is effective, the black and white cinematography disturbing, the hallucination scenes frightening. It's disturbing as hell, and it's one of the best movies I've ever seen. 10/10.