Dominique (1979)

A millionaire who has recently lost his wife starts believing that he is being haunted by her spirit.

Director:

Michael Anderson

Writers:

Edward Abraham (screenplay), Valerie Abraham (screenplay),

Stars:

Cliff Robertson, Jean Simmons, Jenny Agutter

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Cliff Robertson	...	David Ballard
Jean Simmons	...	Dominique Ballard
Jenny Agutter	...	Ann Ballard
Simon Ward	...	Tony Calvert
Ron Moody	...	Dr. Rogers
Judy Geeson	...	Marjorie Craven
Michael Jayston	...	Arnold Craven
Flora Robson	...	Mrs. Davis
David Tomlinson	...	Lawyer
Jack Warner	...	George
Leslie Dwyer	...	Cemetary Supervisor
Jan Holden	...	Ballard's Secretary
Brian Hayes	...	S.T. Reeve
Jack McKenzie	...	John, 1st Chauffeur
Michael Nightingale	...	Vicar at Funeral

Storyline

The wife of a greedy man comes back to haunt him after he scares her to death in this horror-thriller. He is after her money and must try several times before he finally succeeds. Because she is mentally exhausted from being frightened all the time, she commits suicide, but soon the husband begins experiencing her ghostly presence.

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Plot Keywords:

suicide | halloween | mental illness | one word title | pianist | 

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Taglines:

She's back!

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 March 1980 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Dominique Is Dead

Filming Locations:

England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Grand Prize Productions, Sword & Sorcery, Viacom Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Michael Anderson has stated in interviews that the film was taken out of his hands during editing and tampered against his wishes. Ron Moody was the chief victim of the cuts made.

User Reviews

Is Dominique dead?

Creepy thriller concerning a selfish American businessman (Robertson) supporting his interests through a marriage of convenience to his wealthy English wife (Simmons), until she commits suicide as a result of his emotional bullying. Her instructions are for her will to be read on their wedding anniversary in a few weeks' time, and as that day draws nearer, visions, apparent apparitions and strange goings-on haunt Robertson to the point of virtual insanity. Convinced that his wife has returned from the dead, he enlists his new chauffeur (Ward) to exhume her body, not once, but twice, where he makes a shocking discovery.

Atmospheric, tense and suspenseful throughout, I found Simmons' portrayal of the emotionally crippled wife compelling and her 'resurrection' even more stirring. Gaping plot holes, contrivances and other poetic conveniences while no means forgiven, are somewhat disguised by director Anderson's flair for creating tension out of the limited material. The cast however has considerable depth, with veterans David Tomlinson, Jack Warner, Dame Flora Robson, and Ron Moody in a pivotal supporting role. Jenny Agutter, Judy Geeson and Michael Jayston are also prominent.

There's Hitchockian moments and more than just a little reminiscence of the similarly titled French classic "Les diaboliques" (1955), and yet despite the somewhat borrowed theme, I still found myself in the grip of "Dominique" and was rewarded with some heart-pounding moments. Not perfect, but entertaining nonetheless.