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Varjoja

Original title: Shadows
  • 19581958
  • K-16K-16
  • 1h 21m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
12K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
19,959
432
Varjoja (1958)
Cassavetes' jazz-scored improvisational film explores interracial friendships and relationships in Beat-Era (1950s) New York City.
Play trailer2:54
2 Videos
45 Photos
DramaMusicRomance

Cassavetes' jazz-scored improvisational film explores interracial friendships and relationships in Beat-Era (1950s) New York City.Cassavetes' jazz-scored improvisational film explores interracial friendships and relationships in Beat-Era (1950s) New York City.Cassavetes' jazz-scored improvisational film explores interracial friendships and relationships in Beat-Era (1950s) New York City.

IMDb RATING
7.2/10
12K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
19,959
432
  • Director
    • John Cassavetes
  • Writer
    • John Cassavetes
  • Stars
    • Ben Carruthers
    • Lelia Goldoni
    • Hugh Hurd
Top credits
  • Director
    • John Cassavetes
  • Writer
    • John Cassavetes
  • Stars
    • Ben Carruthers
    • Lelia Goldoni
    • Hugh Hurd
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 57User reviews
    • 67Critic reviews
    • 86Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 4 BAFTA Awards
      • 2 wins & 5 nominations total

    Videos2

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:54
    Trailer
    Shadows
    Clip 3:11
    Shadows

    Photos45

    Varjoja (1958)
    Varjoja (1958)
    Varjoja (1958)
    Varjoja (1958)
    Varjoja (1958)
    Varjoja (1958)
    Ben Carruthers in Varjoja (1958)
    Lelia Goldoni in Varjoja (1958)
    Ben Carruthers in Varjoja (1958)
    Ben Carruthers in Varjoja (1958)
    Lelia Goldoni in Varjoja (1958)
    Ben Carruthers in Varjoja (1958)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ben Carruthers
    Ben Carruthers
    • Ben
    Lelia Goldoni
    Lelia Goldoni
    • Lelia
    Hugh Hurd
    • Hugh
    Anthony Ray
    Anthony Ray
    • Tony
    Dennis Sallas
    • Dennis
    Tom Reese
    Tom Reese
    • Tom
    • (as Tom Allen)
    David Pokitillow
    • David
    Rupert Crosse
    • Rupert
    David Jones
    • Davey
    • (as Davey Jones)
    Pir Marini
    • Pir the Piano Player
    Victoria Vargas
    • Vickie
    Jack Ackerman
    • Jack, Director of Dance Studio
    Jacqueline Walcott
    • Jacqueline
    Cliff Carnell
    Cliff Carnell
    Jay Crecco
    Ronald Maccone
    Bob Reeh
    Joyce Miles
    • Girl in Restaurant
    • Director
      • John Cassavetes
    • Writer
      • John Cassavetes
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      John Cassavetes screened the movie in 1957 and 1958, but because of poor response he went back and re-shot about half of the film in 1959. The first version of the film was believed to be lost for almost 50 years. In the mid-1980s Prof. Ray Carney began his search for the film after talking to Cassavetes about the first version. Carney searched almost everywhere but was led to dead ends for 20 years. Finally, in 2002, he was contacted by a woman who said her father, a junk dealer, had a cardboard box with a film called "Shadows". It turned out to be the first version and not the second one. The print was in pristine condition.
    • Goofs
      When Tony takes Lelia back to her apartment, Ben, Dennis, and Tom are sitting around the table playing poker and trying to arranges some dates. All three bear the marks of a fight that won't take place until near the end of the movie.
    • Quotes

      Girl at Party: The trouble with you is, you suffer from self-induced hysteria at the word 'existentialism'. Are you aware of that?

    • Crazy credits
      "Presented by Jean Shepherd's Night People"
    • Alternate versions
      Cassavetes screened a finished version of Shadows in 1957 and 1958 that ran 78 minutes. Part of the original negative of this version was used for the 1959 version, which was completely reshot with new actors. In 2002, Prof. Ray Carney of Boston University discovered the only remaining 16mm copy of this earlier version.
    • Connections
      Featured in Cinéastes de notre temps: John Cassavetes (1969)
    • Soundtracks
      Beautiful
      Written by Jack Ackerman, Hunt Stevens and Eleanor Winters

    User reviews57

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    Well-done early independent film by Cassavetes...
    1st watched 8/26/2001 - 8 out of 10 (Dir-John Cassavetes): Well-done early independent film by Cassavetes introduced a style that was much different than what Hollywood shows it's audience. This movie also introduced some very taboo subjects, especially the actual racism that probably was prevalent all over the country but was not displayed by the mostly white controlled filmmakers of the time. About the only black actors that had much respect at this time were the ones that acted and displayed personality like whites(aka. Sidney Poitier). Besides this, the idea of ending a film without truly concluding the relationships that began leaves many moviegoers dumbfounded but actually makes the viewers realize that life is like this(it goes on...). I prefer this kind of an ending because it makes you think more about the characters and what may happen next and the conclusions are not just laid out for you. The movie follows the lives of people(particulary a couple of people who have a brief relationship and happen to be opposite skin colors) then we watch what happens when the white man realizes what he's done. This is done very well and makes the movie very special. The acting is supposedly done improvisationally which makes the movie even more amazing. I guess you can say I liked this movie, if you can't tell. If you can find it check out this classic early independent film.
    helpful•20
    8
    • dwpollar
    • Aug 26, 2001

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 20, 1961 (Finland)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Shadows
    • Filming locations
      • Grand Central Station, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • Lion International
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $40,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 21 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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