Seconds (DVD, 2002, Widescreen)

For all intents & purposes, plays out with the same ideas & moral as a 60s drug film, such as "Riot on Sunset Strip," but with a sinister, organized crime twist. The film Frankenheimer made after "The Manchurian Candidate" (the one with Frank Sinatra, NOT the idiotic remake with Denzel Washington), "Seconds" is also a poetic analogy to the life of its star, Rock Hudson, who was the epitome of manliness but homosexual. Given the chance to live a new life as a younger man, an aging banker finds himself not quite in control of the faux paradise in which he finds himself placed. No doubt, Frankenheimer intended for the title to be horrifyingly double-edged. A great movie for true film fans, but not exactly for those with more (brainless) contemporary tastes.

This was a movie without an audience in 1966. Rock Hudson fans wanted to see a romantic trifle with Doris Day, not this. Noir fans didn't want to see a movie with Rock Hudson. Black-and-white movies were becoming passe. The nude bacchanal was exised from American prints, due to the Production Code (still in effect, but on its last legs). And the subject matter and ending were unbelievably depressing.

A pity, because this movie is a 1960s classic of paranoia, with daring casting (featuring at least 3 blacklisted actors and several cast against type), gloomy photography (James Wong Howe) and a pervasive, disturbing air of doom throughout. The DVD features almost no extras, but it does have director commentary from the always-informative John Frankenheimer. A great companion piece to Frankenheimer's "Manchurian Candidate". Bonus: This is the European print, which features the entire, unexpurgated bacchanal.

A truly remarkable movie. One of Rock Hudson's better acting jobs. The movie has an interesting and entertaining plot, easy to comprehend. The film was very well directed by the usually competent John Frankenheimer. Most of his films are quality and Seconds stands as one of his best.

THANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL DVD. I HAVE HAD NO LUCK FINDING IT ANYWHERE.
QUICK SHIPPING, WONDERFUL SELLER AND I I WILL DEFINITELY STOP BY AND SHOP AGAIN

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