6.8/10
7,442
64 user 77 critic

Obsession (1976)

PG | | Drama , Mystery , Thriller | September 1976 (UK)
Obsession Poster
A wealthy New Orleans businessman becomes obsessed with a young woman who resembles his wife.

Director:

Brian De Palma

Writers:

Brian De Palma (story by), Paul Schrader (story by) | 1 more credit »

Stars:

Cliff Robertson, Geneviève Bujold, John Lithgow | See full cast & crew »
Reviews

On Disc

at Amazon

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 1 nomination. See more awards »

Photos

See all 51 photos »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cliff Robertson ... Michael Courtland
Geneviève Bujold ... Elizabeth Courtland / Sandra Portinari
John Lithgow ... Robert Lasalle
Sylvia Kuumba Williams Sylvia Kuumba Williams ... Maid (as Sylvia 'Kuumba' Williams)
Wanda Blackman Wanda Blackman ... Amy Courtland
J. Patrick McNamara ... Third Kidnapper (as Patrick McNamara)
Stanley J. Reyes Stanley J. Reyes ... Insp. Brie
Nick Krieger Nick Krieger ... Farber
Stocker Fontelieu Stocker Fontelieu ... Dr. Ellman
Don Hood ... Ferguson
Andrea Esterhazy Andrea Esterhazy ... D'Annunzio
Thomas Carr Thomas Carr ... Paper Boy
Tom Felleghy Tom Felleghy ... Italian Businessman
Nella Simoncini Barbieri Nella Simoncini Barbieri ... Mrs. Portinari
John Creamer John Creamer ... Justice of the Peace
See full cast »
Edit

Storyline

New Orleans businessman Michael Courtland's life is shattered when his wife and daughter are tragically killed in a botched kidnap rescue attempt. Many years later whilst visiting Italy he meets and falls in love with Sandra Portinari, who bears a striking resemblance to his wife. Written by Col Needham <col@imdb.com>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

doppelganger | year 1975 | florence italy | hitchcockian | year 1959 | See All (93) »

Taglines:

His wife has been dead for 15 years. Until today. See more »

Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
Edit

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Italian

Release Date:

September 1976 (UK) See more »

Also Known As:

Deja Vu See more »

Filming Locations:

Collegiate Church, San Gimignano, Siena, Tuscany, Italy See more »
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Box Office

Budget:

$1,400,000 (estimated)
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation,Yellowbird Productions See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Brian De Palma's older brother Bart painted the portraits that appear in the film. See more »

Goofs

In Robertson's first trip on the paddle-wheel boat to deliver ransom money in 1959, as it takes off, a pan to the street reveals traffic nearby with contemporary (1970's) cars. See more »

Quotes

Sandra Portinari: How did she die?
Michael Courtland: I killed her.
See more »

Crazy Credits

The film has no end credits, other than the words "The End" in the final frame. See more »

Connections

Featured in The Rotten Tomatoes Show: Kick-Ass/Death at a Funeral/The Joneses (2010) See more »

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User Reviews

 
**** out of ****
17 November 2002 | by kyle_c – See all my reviews

Underrated masterpiece by De Palma was basically disregarded due comparisons to "Vertigo". Sure, the basic premise is the same, but De Palma takes it in a totally different direction. Technically, this is among his best works, with the beautiful camerawork complimenting a haunting, disturbing story. The story takes it's time, and while the slow pace may bother some viewers, patient viewers will realize that it works to draw them in. By the time it is over, it feels like you have just come out of a trance.
18 of 27 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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