The Mystery of Natalie Wood (2004) (TV)

Director:

Peter Bogdanovich

Writers (WGA):

Suzanne Finstad (book)
Warren G. Harris (book)

Release Date:

1 March 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Mystery

Tagline:

From child star to Hollywood legend.

Plot:

This TV special, co-produced by her younger sister Lana Wood, as well as accounts from family, friends...

Plot Keywords:

Drunk | Depression | Price Of Fame | Glamour | Pregnant

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Justine Waddell	...	Natalie Wood
Michael Weatherly	...	Robert Wagner
Matthew Settle	...	Warren Beatty
Colin Friels	...	Nick Gurdin
Elizabeth Rice	...	Teenage Natalie Wood
Grace Fulton	...	Young natalie wood
Robert Taylor	...	Nicholas Ray
Alice Krige	...	Maria Gurdin
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Stephen Anderton	...	Dennis Davern
Peter Astridge	...	Assistant Director
Michael Atherton	...	Guitar Player
David Baldwin	...	William Goetz
Peter Barron	...	Party Guest
Natalie Bassingthwaighte	...	Marion Marshall
Johann Benét	...	Tony Jorge
Anthony Benson	...	Eddie Canaveri
Lamberto Bianchi	...	Italian Maitre'd
Dion Bilios	...	Anthony Sakal
Colin Borgonon	...	Butler
Shelbie Bruce	...	Natasha age 11 (voice)
Brenton Caine	...	Jimmy's Father
Nick Carpenter	...	James Dean
Emily Cascarino	...	Lana 13-15
George Chakiris	...	Himself
Louise Crawford	...	Waitress
Amanda Crompton	...	Marilyn Wayne
Jeremy Cumpston	...	John Payne
Rebecca Davis	...	Maya Plasetskaya
Jarrod Dean	...	Dennis Hopper
Tiara Dobbs	...	Courtney (8)
Lewis Fitz-Gerald	...	Dr. Thayer
Jane Flanders	...	Warner's Secretary
Sandy Gardiner	...	Party Girl
Jonathan Gavin	...	Reporter
Brittany Green	...	Little Girl (9)
Victoria Harwood	...	Hairdresser
Darren K. Hawkins	...	Assistant Director 1940
Bobby Hyatt	...	Himself
Henry Jaglom	...	Himself
Dee Jenner	...	Katherine (17)
Malcolm Kennard	...	Christopher Walken
Michael Kluger	...	Accordion Player
Peter Knowles	...	ER Doctor
Barry Langrishe	...	Jack Warner
Mark Lee	...	William Russel
Mark Lee	...	William Russell
Allan Lim	...	Detective at Beach
Phillip Lye	...	Joseph Mankiewicz
Peter McCallum	...	Harbormaster
Christine McClure	...	Audrey Christie
Patrick McGrath	...	Edmund Gwenn
Glad McInerney	...	Jimmy's Mother
Madison McKoy	...	Interviewer
Sophie Mentis	...	Margaret O'Brien
Sophie Monk	...	Marilyn Monroe
Candice Moore	...	Natasha (11)
John Noble	...	Irving Pichel, Director
Margaret O'Brien	...	Herself
Helen O'Connor	...	On-set Teacher
Tiffany O'Connor	...	School Girl
Slava Orel	...	Priest
Nikki Osborne	...	Jackie Estes
Paul Pantano	...	Sal Mineo
Sun Park	...	Nurse
Christopher Pate	...	Elia Kazan
Matthew Patterson	...	Crew Member #2
Rupert Reid	...	Henry Jaglom
Andy Rodoreda	...	Roy Tremaine
Inga Romansova	...	Gypsy Woman
Nathalie Roy	...	Lana Wood
Nadia Scappa	...	Natasha (5)
Rachel Scobie	...	Joan Collins
Pamela Shaw	...	Announcer
Brett Sheerin	...	Charlie
Leanne Simcic	...	Olga
Stephen Simpson	...	Drunk Man
Igor Smiljevic	...	Party Guest
Chelsea Smith	...	Young Natalie Wood (voice)
Jason Smith	...	Jimmy Williams
Cameron Stewart	...	Manager
Rachael Taylor	...	Maryann Marinkovich
Ellen Tilden	...	Courtney (3)
May Turner	...	Mrs. Mac
Michael Tyack	...	Piano Player ("West Side Story")
Narelle Valentine	...	Party Hostess
Robert Vaughn	...	Himself
Steven Vidler	...	Richard Gregson
Keira Wingate	...	Lana 7-12
Lana Wood	...	Herself
Alan Zitner	...	Harry, SFX Man

Also Known As:

Looking for Natalie Wood (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

Canada:172 min | USA:180 min (including commercials) | Brazil:172 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Fox Studios, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

Cypress Point Productions

Goofs:

Anachronisms: "Tutti Frutti" by Little Richard can be heard playing at Natalie's 15th birthday party. However, this is set in 1953 and the song did not come out until 1956, three years later.

Soundtrack:

Let Me Entertain You

Wonderful film showcasing a great actress' tragic life

I've always been interested in Natalie Wood, but didn't know much about her except that she was a very glamorous Hollywood star and that she died tragically. This great film showcases Natalie's life, which came across just as tragic as her saddening death.

"The Mystery of Natalie Wood" is a long film and it is at times very hard to watch. As the film is set across her entire life, there is lots of time changes, which are established with a little caption, or a voice over from Lana Wood or someone else who are giving some insight into certain events in the film.

The cast are terrific. Justine Waddell seems like she was born to play the part of Natalie Wood. She does it with so much grace. Michael Weatherly and Matthew Settle are both a pleasure to watch in their respective roles as Robert Wagner and Warren Beatty, each helping to carry the film alongside Justine Waddell. Colin Friels is good as Natalie Wood's long suffering father, while Nathalie Roy didn't get enough screen playing Lana Wood, but when she was on screen, she was fabulous. It is Alice Krige, as Maria Gurdin, Natalie's dominant and overbearing mother, who portrays so well why Natalie's life was so tragic. Alice Krige is in top form here. Grace Fulton is of particular note as the young Natalie Wood also, and watch out for Australian celebrities Sophie Monk and Natalie Bassingwaighte as Marilyn Munroe and Marion Murchall.

This is really one of those films that you have to be in the mood to watch, have the time to watch, and be prepared to learn a lot about one of Hollywood's most iconic women. You may like to bring some tissues also - it's tremendously sad, and not only for Natalie Wood, but for those also who were part of her life.