Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786301331395
Format: Color
ISBN: 6301331397
Label: 20th Century Fox
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: 1998-11-11
Running Time: 115
Studio: 20th Century Fox

Customer Rating:
Summary: Devilish!
Comment: This very Seventies, post-Rosemary's Baby (1968) horror thriller is remembered fondly by many viewers for its dated aspects. A pre-M.A.S.H. Alan Alda plays music journalist Myles Clarkson, whose own career as a pianist was earlier squelched by critical disdain. He lives modestly with his gorgeous wife (Jacqueline Bisset) and precocious child (perennial child star of the era, Pamela Ferdyn). Interviewing aging musical maestro Duncan Ely (Curt Jurgens), Alda is drawn into Ely's rich, sinister milieu that includes his far too young concubine Roxanne (an unforgettable Barbara Parkins, in perhaps her keynote role) and other wealthy Satanists. Alda returns to the piano with increased fervor following Jurgens' death, and has appeared to inherit his mentor's death supernaturally. But the devil must be paid his due, and soon lots of innocent lambs begin to die unexpectedly. Bisset, unable to convince others about the conspiracy against her, decides to fight fire with brimstone in a largely unsatisfying fadeout.

The Mephisto Waltz can be interpreted as a reactionary response to the then-current relaxed attitudes towards "alternative lifestyles," be it living together without the benefit of marriage or being the member of a murderous devil worshipping cult. Alda and Bisset appear to be in an "open marriage" living arrangement, with the latter seemingly indifferent to Alda's affair with Parkins. Jurgens' curious funeral in the film, attended by eccentric mourners with arcane rituals performed by Parkins is defended by Alda who declares, "I always respect others' religious beliefs!"

The affluent, bourgeois devil cult in The Mephisto Waltz recalls the Palladists in Val Lewton's The Seventh Victim (1943). Coincidentally, that film's director Mark Robson would later guide Parkins in an entirely different sort of horror film, the execrable adaptation of Jacqueline Susanne's Valley of the Dolls (1967).

Director Paul Wendkos films the proceedings in a wildly expressionistic style, with many eccentric camera angles and lens diffusions. Careful viewers will detect odd, occult images crowding even the most prosaic scenes, with odd bits of décor cluttering shelves and walls. While rich in atmosphere, horror fans may be taken aback by the film's exceedingly mild content. There is no violence, and very light nudity and sex. Discounting a wild costume party, there are no expected satanic orgies, and no appearances from the Cloven Hoofed One, although a human face mask worn by Ely's attack dog makes for an arresting image. The plot, hinging on the hoary old device of "soul transference," was recently disinterred for the now-forgotten horror thriller The Skeleton Key in 2005.

The Mephisto Waltz has often been mistaken for a made-for-TV movie, where many viewers have noted the presence of a boom mike from full-frame TV presentations.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: One cool movie!
Comment: I really enjoyed it and can't wait for it to be made into a DVD.
Barbara Parkins at her chilling best-what a beauty-
how ICY perfect for the part.
She never really gets much credit [what a shame]
Loved the ending twist and cool camera angles and what a soundtrack.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Stop winning, just lay back & enjoy it!
Comment: Ok, so the book was much better....... but the move is still quite compelling & mesmerizing. Slow at times, yet true to life-I mean, that's how I conjure the Devil when I need him for something!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: This Was No Rosemary's Baby Rip-off
Comment: I loved this movie! I just discovered the book and am waiting patiently for it to arrive. Why do people say it is a Rosemary's Baby ripoff? It is nothing like Rosemary's Baby except the satanist angle. Are all satanist movies RB rip-offs? I don't think so. I also thought Alan Alda did a fabulous job. It's the one time I thought he was sexy in a movie. The other reviewers have given the plot of the movie so I won't repeat them. I will just say I am entertained every time I see it.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: disappointing
Comment: 2 1/2 stars.alan alda and jaqueline bisset star in this tale of satanism.what starts off as promising soon falters.alda saves this from being terrible though as he does the best with what he's given.bisset is well...bisset.the thing with her is that she can't act but who really cares as she is one of the most beautiful women ever.all in all though,both of their roles aren't enough to save this.i was hoping that the story would go in a certain direction but didn't.infact the story that they chose to go with borders on ludicrous,probably due to the writers not knowing how else to end it,which is very unfortunate.worth watching once,though i wouldn't buy it.

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