Seance on a Wet Afternoon
Seen it?1964 | 116 min | Crime, Thriller, Drama
Saturday Specialearly ratingWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (82% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it drew serious awards attention. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Changeling or Layer Cake, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense, dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 56 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1964: an older pace and style.
Working-class British housewife Myra Savage reinvents herself as a medium, holding seances in the sitting room of her home with the hidden assistance of her under-employed, asthmatic husband, Billy. In an attempt to enhance her credibility as a psychic, Myra hatches an elaborate, ill-conceived plot to kidnap a wealthy couple's young daughter so that she can then help the police "find" the missing girl.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
82% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.3 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 BAFTA: British Academy Film Awards: Best British Actor. Also nominated for 1 Oscar and 3 more BAFTAs. Plus 5 other awards.
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 54K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Changeling Saturday SpecialAnother kidnapping crime drama, and a Saturday Special.
Layer Cake Saturday SpecialAnother kidnapping crime drama, and a Saturday Special.
The Whisper Man
Weeknight WatchAnother kidnapping crime drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
A Working Man Weeknight WatchAnother kidnapping crime thriller, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Gone Girl
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed thriller.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Bryan Forbes
- Kim StanleyMyra
- Richard AttenboroughBill
- Margaret LaceyWoman at first Seance
- Marie BurkeWoman at first Seance
- Maria KazanWoman at first Seance
- Lionel GamlinMan at Seances
- Marian SpencerMrs. Wintry
- Godfrey JamesMrs. Clayton's Chauffeur
- Judith DonnerAmanda
- Ronald HinesPoliceman outside Clayton's