Rosemary's Baby (1968)

A young couple trying for a baby move into a fancy apartment surrounded by peculiar neighbors.

Director:

Roman Polanski

Writers:

Ira Levin (from the novel by), Roman Polanski (written for the screen)

Stars:

Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon

Won 1 Oscar. Another 10 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mia Farrow	...	Rosemary Woodhouse
John Cassavetes	...	Guy Woodhouse
Ruth Gordon	...	Minnie Castevet
Sidney Blackmer	...	Roman Castevet
Maurice Evans	...	Hutch
Ralph Bellamy	...	Dr. Sapirstein
Victoria Vetri	...	Terry (as Angela Dorian)
Patsy Kelly	...	Laura-Louise
Elisha Cook Jr.	...	Mr. Nicklas (as Elisha Cook)
Emmaline Henry	...	Elise Dunstan
Charles Grodin	...	Dr. Hill
Hanna Landy	...	Grace Cardiff
Phil Leeds	...	Dr. Shand (as Philip Leeds)
D'Urville Martin	...	Diego
Hope Summers	...	Mrs. Gilmore

Storyline

Desirous of starting a family, the young Catholic housewife, Rosemary Woodhouse, and her struggling actor husband, Guy, move into the Bramford: New York's iconic building that brims with unpleasant stories of obscure dwellers and ghastly occurrences. Before long, the young couple is befriended by their somehow eccentric next-door neighbours, Roman and Minnie Castevet, and, shortly after, Rosemary gets pregnant. However, little by little--as the inexperienced mother becomes systematically cut off from her circle and friends--alarming hints of a sinister and well-planned conspiracy begin to emerge, enfolding timid Rosemary in a shroud of suspicion and mental agony. In the end, why is everyone so conveniently eager to help? Furthermore, why is Guy allowing it?

---

Plot Keywords:

coven | satanism | paranoia | problem pregnancy | baby | 

---

Taglines:

Pray for Rosemary's Baby.

---

Genres:

Drama | Horror

---

Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Roman Polanski suggested Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne for Roman and Minnie Castavet.

---

Goofs

Though we hear Minnie's dialogue, "No matter where we are, our thought's will always be with you", her lips are not moving.

---

Quotes

Roman Castevet: [Terry is dead on the street] I knew this would happen. I kept telling my wife that she would kill herself, but she pooh-pooh'd me.

---

Alternate Versions

The film originally proved problematic for the UK censors and the rape scene was toned down by the BBFC for the cinema release with edits made to remove dialogue and shots of Rosemary's legs being bound. All later UK video releases featured the uncut print.

---

Connections

Featured in Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)

---

Soundtracks

Für Elise
by Ludwig van Beethoven

User Reviews

Flawless Horror Masterpiece

Rosemary, in Mia Farrow's performance, is so immediately recognizable that everything that happens to her, happens to us. Her explanation to Dr Hill (Charles Grodin) about the absurdity she's at the center of, is so brilliantly written that she becomes more than just one of us, she becomes us in all the depth of our unspoken fears. To see this film in 2007 is really amazing. Perfection! And that for our benefit. Polanski is not one of those directors who concocts camera tricks to feed his own ego. Everything is at the service of the story. John Cassavettes is a scarily convincing weakling with an ambition bigger than his talent. Ruth Gordon got, what I, in my modest opinion, consider one of the most deserving Oscars in the history of the Oscars. Her performance is beyond superb. Okay, I'm running out of superlatives but let me finish with one more...Roman Polanski is the greatest.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 June 1968 (Canada)

Also Known As:

Rosemary's Baby

Filming Locations:

2nd Ave & East 60th Street, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,300,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

William Castle Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

137 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1