Apr 6, 2025 05:40 PM
Though "Seconds" was released back in 1966, I had never even heard of the film. But two seasons of "Severance" kind of got us on a philosophical "identity" kick, resulting in discovering the former.
Definitely the most offbeat role in Rock Hudson's career, given the usual type of stereotypical character he played.
The unique cinematography -- for that era -- helps to push it over the top, along with the Dionysian festival scene. Otherwise, the plot and subject might be mistaken for a good episode of The Twilight Zone (abnormally extended to 90 minutes, with the commercials included in that).
Make sure it's the European cut of the movie that was only accessed in the States after the late 1990s, since the original had parts of it censored in North America, for obvious reasons. If "The Criterion Collection" logo appears at the start, it means you're watching the restored version.
Internet Archive preserves some of those TCC selections of old films, but if you find it there, view online rather than risk downloading the file. YouTube may occasionally feature "Seconds" in its "Free with Ads" slot, but only temporarily. And perhaps Pluto TV carries it at times, in its "on demand" section or on one of its classic movie "channels".
Unless you have seen "Seconds" before, don't sample much (if any) of the critical review of it in the video below until afterwards, due to the many spoiler details and scenes.
VIDEO INTRO: "Seconds" is one of those rare films that sets up the entire story in the first couple of minutes without a word being spoken, or even a character being introduced. This is the film's greatest irony, because "Seconds" is a film about character -- or rather identity -- directed by the legendary John Frankenheimer and released in 1966. "Seconds" is perhaps the best film in an unofficial trilogy, the Paranoia Trilogy, preceded by "The Manchurian Candidate" and "Seven Days in May". Opening with images of warped faces and a sinister score underpinning it. "Seconds" sets itself up to be experimental and very, very strange. After the opening credits have rolled, we follow Arthur during a busy after work commute. Arthur is approached by a stranger who hands him an address...
Seconds (1966) - The best film you've probably never seen ... https://youtu.be/qyavJNy6eC4
Definitely the most offbeat role in Rock Hudson's career, given the usual type of stereotypical character he played.
The unique cinematography -- for that era -- helps to push it over the top, along with the Dionysian festival scene. Otherwise, the plot and subject might be mistaken for a good episode of The Twilight Zone (abnormally extended to 90 minutes, with the commercials included in that).
Make sure it's the European cut of the movie that was only accessed in the States after the late 1990s, since the original had parts of it censored in North America, for obvious reasons. If "The Criterion Collection" logo appears at the start, it means you're watching the restored version.
Internet Archive preserves some of those TCC selections of old films, but if you find it there, view online rather than risk downloading the file. YouTube may occasionally feature "Seconds" in its "Free with Ads" slot, but only temporarily. And perhaps Pluto TV carries it at times, in its "on demand" section or on one of its classic movie "channels".
Unless you have seen "Seconds" before, don't sample much (if any) of the critical review of it in the video below until afterwards, due to the many spoiler details and scenes.
VIDEO INTRO: "Seconds" is one of those rare films that sets up the entire story in the first couple of minutes without a word being spoken, or even a character being introduced. This is the film's greatest irony, because "Seconds" is a film about character -- or rather identity -- directed by the legendary John Frankenheimer and released in 1966. "Seconds" is perhaps the best film in an unofficial trilogy, the Paranoia Trilogy, preceded by "The Manchurian Candidate" and "Seven Days in May". Opening with images of warped faces and a sinister score underpinning it. "Seconds" sets itself up to be experimental and very, very strange. After the opening credits have rolled, we follow Arthur during a busy after work commute. Arthur is approached by a stranger who hands him an address...
Seconds (1966) - The best film you've probably never seen ... https://youtu.be/qyavJNy6eC4