Obsession (1976)

New Orleans businessman Michael Courtland's life is shattered when his wife and daughter are tragically killed in a botched kidnap rescue attempt. Many years later whilst visiting Italy he ... See full summary »

Director:

Brian De Palma

Writers:

Brian De Palma (story), Paul Schrader (story),

Stars:

Cliff Robertson, Geneviève Bujold, John Lithgow

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cliff Robertson	...	Michael Courtland
Geneviève Bujold	...	Elizabeth Courtland / Sandra Portinari
John Lithgow	...	Robert Lasalle
Sylvia Kuumba Williams	...	Maid (as Sylvia 'Kuumba' Williams)
Wanda Blackman	...	Amy Courtland
J. Patrick McNamara	...	Third Kidnapper (as Patrick McNamara)
Stanley J. Reyes	...	Insp. Brie
Nick Kreiger	...	Farber (as Nick Krieger)
Stocker Fontelieu	...	Dr. Ellman
Don Hood	...	Ferguson
Andrea Esterhazy	...	D'Annunzio
Thomas Carr	...	Paper Boy
Tom Felleghy	...	Italian Businessman
Nella Simoncini Barbieri	...	Mrs. Portinari
John Creamer	...	Justice of the Peace

Storyline

New Orleans businessman Michael Courtland's life is shattered when his wife and daughter are tragically killed in a botched kidnap rescue attempt. Many years later whilst visiting Italy he meets and falls in in love with Sandra Portinari, who bears a striking resemblance to his wife.

---

Plot Keywords:

business trip | mausoleum | wedding anniversary | ransom note | art restoration | 

---

Taglines:

The love story that will scare the life out of you

---

Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

---

Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

13 September 1976 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Deja Vu

Filming Locations:

Basilica di San Miniato al Monte, Florence, Tuscany, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$1,400,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Yellowbird Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The church in Florence significant in the plot of the film is the Church of San Miniato, or San Miniato al Monte (Saint Minias on the Mountain), a Romanesque basilica built in 1018, on the site of a 4th century chapel.

---

Goofs

In Robertson's first trip on the paddle-wheel boat to deliver ransom money in 1959, as it takes off, a pan to the street reveals traffic nearby with contemporary (1970's) cars.

---

Quotes

Robert Lasalle: [Michael has pointed out Sandra to him] Oh my God...

---

Connections

Referenced in Tales from the Script (2009)

User Reviews

best of the early depalma

...and so I started depalma's "Obsession" and noticed the screenplay by Paul Schrader and did a double take and saw the score by Bernard Hermann and thought to myself "Taxi Driver"?? This is the fifth film i've seen in a cycle started with "Wedding Party" of early depalma works. It is I believe with this film that depalma finally seems to settle into a consistent film making style... I mean it's really difficult to figure out a directors vision when he jumps between making significant socio-political films like "Hi Mom" to cheezy schlock like "Phantom of the Paradise". Anyways, whether it be Hermann's bi-polar score (see. Taxi Driver) or Paul Hirch's magnificent editing, depalma finally makes a film worthy of a second viewing. If "Sisters" and "Phantom of the Paradise" showed depalma's clever camera play with split screen editing, "Obsession" shows depalma's delicate use of filtering to enhance a feeling of dreaminess and actually stay with a single theme till the end. Finally it's interesting to note the final sequence of the film and it's similarity to what in my opinion is his greatest triumph "Carlito's Way". Check this one out...