The Mystery of Natalie Wood (2004)

Uses accounts from family, friends, and acquaintances to tell the story of Natalie Wood and how she started young, acting in the spotlight, making the transition from a childhood actress to... See full summary »

Director:

Peter Bogdanovich

Writers:

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

Stars:

Justine Waddell, Michael Weatherly, Matthew Settle

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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
Malcolm Kennard	...	Christopher Walken
Christopher Pate	...	Elia Kazan
John Noble	...	Irving Pichel, Director
Barry Langrishe	...	Jack Warner
Steven Vidler	...	Richard Gregson
Sophie Monk	...	Marilyn Monroe
Nathalie Roy	...	Lana Wood

Storyline

Uses accounts from family, friends, and acquaintances to tell the story of Natalie Wood and how she started young, acting in the spotlight, making the transition from a childhood actress to serious actress, dating the top names in Hollywood, her life and marriage to her husband, Robert Wagner, and her biggest fear that ended up being the cause of her death.

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Plot Keywords:

fear of water | actress | hollywood | marriage | childhood | 

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Taglines:

From child star to Hollywood legend.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Official Sites:

ABC

Country:

Australia USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 March 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Looking for Natalie Wood

Filming Locations:

Fox Studios, Moore Park, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cypress Point Productions, Von Zerneck Sertner Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

180 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Natalie Wood was only five feet tall. Justine Waddell is five-foot ten, making her nearly a foot taller than Wood.

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Goofs

"Tutti Frutti" by Little Richard can be heard playing at Natalie's 15th birthday party. However, this is set in 1953 and the song was only recorded on September 14, 1955 at the J & M Studio in New Orleans, Louisiana.

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Quotes

Natalie Wood: I don't really have a clear perception of myself, ya know. I mean I've always been Betty Davis' daughter or Maureen O'Hara's daughter or Jimmy Stewart's daughter or something like that, but I've been sorta discombobulated Morris. I mean I don't really know how to be... other than acting. I don't really know how I want my house to be or what pleases me or what kind an atmosphere. I sorta have to figure all that out.

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Soundtracks

When The World Was Young
Performed by Scottie Haskell

User Reviews

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.