IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
IMDb > Svengali (1983) (TV)

Svengali (1983) (TV) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
5.9/10   142 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 4% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Contact:
View company contact information for Svengali on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
9 March 1983 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot Keywords:
User Comments:
O'Toole & Foster Match Up more (6 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Peter O'Toole ... Anton Bosnyak

Jodie Foster ... Zoe Alexander
Elizabeth Ashley ... Eve Swiss

Larry Joshua ... Johnny Rainbow
Pamela Blair ... Trish
Barbara Bryne ... Mrs. Burns-Rizzo
Ron Weyand ... Hypnotist

Robin Thomas ... Mendy Weindenbaum
Brian Carney ... Abbot Renfrew
Madeleine Potter ... Antonia

Holly Hunter ... Leslie
Vera Mayer ... Gizella
Stuart Charno ... Boomer
Peter Boruchowitz ... Chris
Ed Vadas ... M.C.
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
100 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Movie Connections:
Version of Svengali (1914) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful.
O'Toole & Foster Match Up, 29 December 2005
7/10
Author: Christopher (mrcaw1@hotmail.com) from New York

Apparently this was a made for TV movie, anyway, the reason to watch this film is not the riveting storyline or spectacular visuals.

What is good about this movie is seeing O'Toole work his magic. He can take a rather silly re-working of the Pgymalian storyline and almost make it seem like art. He really is a wonder to behold.

Foster is not the actress yet she will become in Accused & Silence of the Lambs but you can certainly see the control starting to take shape. Foster shines when she's standing up to O'Toole's dogmatic ways but she falters in romantic moments with O'Toole, you just don't believe that she has romantic feelings for O'Toole.

Elizabeth Ashley is a bit of a disappointment. I was expecting to see some fire from her but I just kept getting the feeling that she was just so much in awe of working with O'Toole that she came off flat. It's a shame cuz it would have been fun to see Ashley & O'Toole spark...ah well.

Sure, the move is a bit melodramatic at times...OK..but if you're an O'Toole fan, you really should check this out. I don't know if he was nominated for an Emmy for this but he should have been.

Oh and there's a great cameo by Holly Hunter in an early performance before her breakout role in Raising Arizona.

Again, this is not the worst movie you'll ever see. It's just a dated early 80s movie that just happens to have a great part for O'Toole which he makes the most of and it's fun to see Jodi Foster as well in a part that we haven't seen her in over and over again..and don't forget, it's always fun to see an actor using their own voice to sing in a movie!

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (6 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Svengali (1983) (TV)

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Peter Ibbetson Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel Sophie's Choice Summer of My German Soldier Dangerous Liaisons
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits IMDb Drama section
IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.