Secret Ceremony (1968)
Joseph Losey's deeply unsettling psychological drama weaves grief, delusion, and dark desire into one of cinema's most hypnotic character studies.
Secret Ceremony - Movie Information
- Original Title: Secret Ceremony
- Release Year: 1968
- Directed by: Joseph Losey
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
- Runtime: 1h 49m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 23, 1968 (United States), March 21, 1969 (France)
- Alternative Titles: Cerimonia segreta (IT), Το μεγάλο μυστικό της (GR), Tajna ceremonia (PL), Titokzatos szertartás (HU), Тайната церемония (BG), Cérémonie secrète (FR), 秘密の儀式 (JP), Cerimônia Secreta (BR)
- Production Companies: Universal Pictures, World Film Services
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Secret Ceremony - Plot
A penniless woman meets a strange girl who insists she is her long-lost mother and becomes enmeshed in a web of deception, and perhaps madness.
Secret Ceremony - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a first look at this haunting psychological drama:
It's time to speak of unspoken things...
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Secret Ceremony - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Joseph Losey
Main Cast
- Elizabeth Taylor
- Mia Farrow
- Robert Mitchum
- Peggy Ashcroft
- Pamela Brown
- Robert Douglas
- George Howell
- Penelope Keith
- Roger Lloyd Pack
- Angus MacKay
Writers
- Marco Denevi
- George Tabori
Producers
- Norman Priggen
- John Heyman
Secret Ceremony - FAQs
Where can you watch Secret Ceremony (1968)?
Secret Ceremony (1968) is available to rent or buy digitally through Amazon Video and Fandango At Home. It is not currently included in any major subscription streaming library, so a paid rental or purchase is the most accessible way to watch the film.
What is Secret Ceremony (1968) about?
Secret Ceremony follows a destitute woman who is drawn into a disturbing relationship with a young, unstable girl who believes she is her deceased mother. The film explores grief, identity, and psychological manipulation within the confines of a grand, decaying London mansion.
Who are the main actors in Secret Ceremony?
The film stars Elizabeth Taylor as Leonora, a grieving woman living on the margins, and Mia Farrow as Cenci, the troubled young woman who fixates on her. Robert Mitchum plays Albert, Cenci's menacing stepfather, with Peggy Ashcroft and Pamela Brown in supporting roles.
Is Secret Ceremony based on a true story?
No, Secret Ceremony is not based on a true story. It is adapted from a short story by Argentine writer Marco Denevi, with the screenplay written by George Tabori. The narrative is a work of fiction, though it draws on universal themes of loss, delusion, and exploitation.
Who directed Secret Ceremony (1968)?
Secret Ceremony was directed by Joseph Losey, the American-born filmmaker who built his most celebrated career in Britain after being blacklisted in Hollywood during the 1950s. Losey was known for psychologically complex dramas, including The Servant (1963) and Accident (1967).
What is the runtime of Secret Ceremony?
Secret Ceremony has a runtime of 109 minutes, approximately 1 hour and 49 minutes. The film was released theatrically in the United States on October 23, 1968, and later in France on March 21, 1969.
How was Secret Ceremony received by critics?
Critical reception was mixed upon release. Some reviewers praised the unsettling atmosphere and the committed performances of Taylor and Farrow, while others found the film's psychological ambiguity frustrating. Over time it has gained recognition as a distinctive, if challenging, entry in Losey's filmography.
What are films similar to Secret Ceremony?
Viewers who enjoy Secret Ceremony may also appreciate Belle de Jour (1967), another psychologically layered European drama from the same era. Other thematically related films include Boom! (1968), which also starred Elizabeth Taylor, and similarly atmospheric works exploring identity and obsession.
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