Seconds
 

SECONDS (1966) Directed by John Frankenheimer. Starring Rock Hudson and John Randolph. Frankenheimer is the director of, what is sometimes referred to as, 'the paranoia trilogy.' THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE (1962), SEVEN DAYS IN MAY (1964), and SECONDS (1966). Born out of a sense of powerlessness during the cold war, these movies portray a world where the individual is often a puppet of dark machinations. The first two movies are political. SECONDS is existential horror.

A frustrated, middle-aged business man who is disillusioned with his life, receives a phone call from a friend he thought has been dead for years. His friend convinces him to meet with people who belong to a secret organization, who, for a price, can give him a second chance at life. They promise to transform him into a younger man. He becomes a 'reborn,' but soon realizes that one's identity is more than skin deep. I think this is a really good movie that is eerily reminiscent of Rod Serling's THE TWILIGHT ZONE.

This film is also known for its unique 'look.' Frankenheimer acknowledges the immense contributions of cinematographer, James Wong Howe, who used many experimental techniques in making this film. Anyone familiar with director Darren Aronofsky's work, will recognize Howe's influence.

Based on the novel SECONDS by David Ely.

Re: Seconds
 

I've never heard of this movie. I didn't know Rock Hudson did such a movie and I'm looking forward to seeing it now.

Thanks for the thumbs-up!

Re: Seconds
 

I first got interested in existential horror after having read Kathe Koja's The Cipher. There is something so powerfully nihilistic in this book that I simply couldn't put it down.

I watched SECONDS two days ago. Its one of those good forgotten movies which should not be neglected. Thanks a lot, bendk for pointing this out! Worth checking out.

Re: Seconds
 

I'm probably just picking a nit (picking a fight?) here, but isn't "existential horror" somewhat redundant? I personally-- isn't this the proper approach to the subject? -- feel that horror is implicit in existential art.

Seconds, by the way, is a great film. The black and white cinemaphotography creates the film's mood and impact. (I'm a film noir buff, and am enamored with B & W, especially when it is a conscious choice of the filmmaker's.) See this one!

similar to Aronofsky, eh? I will definitely have to keep an eye out for it then

Re: Seconds
 

I have to watch this one again NOW. Where to find it? Fortunately the first box I looked in had it. Pirated from cable (the only rebate one gets) in '93 or '94, this particular cassette offers "The Krays", "Seconds", and "Drugstore Cowboy"! (Thank you, Cinemax.) There's a triple feature! I truly understand now that my film choices are as eclectic as my literary choices. "Seconds" first, though. Fast forward!

(Barry, perhaps if I can procure the moons of Jupiter, I'd have enough room for my stuff. Still, though, where to hide it?)

Re: Seconds
 

What a movie! I remember watching it together with Night of the Hunter on MGM Gold (together with other films that I had not seen for a long time, like Burn!, Baby Doll, and On the Beach). To top it off, they were showing an Attack of the Killer 'B's marathon on TNT, featuring films like Devil-Doll. Thank you very much for mentioning it. Too bad I can't think of anything unique to share about it, except when I was once asked to name my favorite film starring Hudson, I forgot all about this movie and ended up answering, Pillow Talk.

Re: Seconds
 

I saw this film several months to a year ago. What scenes stuck most in my mind were those with the angry mob and, to a lesser extent, the waiting room. Surreal in the manner of Magritte's "realistic" pieces: Vivid, but skewed.

Re: Seconds
 

I recorded this film off British TV back in the '70s. I kept it along with hundreds of others that I'm now transfering to DVD (one or two of them haven't turned up on pre-recorded disks). It's a good film, but very bleak, very depressing. It probably is the best film Rock Hudson has appeared in. Possibly it's the best Frankenheimer made. But I don't find it enjoyable. I don't watch it very often. It's a film to be admired rather than enjoyed. The plot could be from an E.C. comic; the execution stylish. It certainly is a film which should be better known.

What I hadn't realised was that the story was from a novel by David Ely. Information like this is always appreciated at Anthology Hell, so I'll pass it on, with thanks. Ely also wrote a novel, The Tour, about a group of bloodthirsty, gun-happy tourists; and his short story The Academy appeared inThe Third Fontana Book of Horror Stories. A theme of dehumanization recurs in his stories.

Re: Seconds
 

Decent movie and quite out of the norm for Hudson,not your Rock Hudson Does Doris Day movie.I understand he felt his performance in it was superb (which it is) and was absolutely devastated when he wasn't nominated for an Oscar...And Life Goes On...

Re: Seconds
 

How strange.... I remember watching this movie during childhood, and it had made a profound impression on me. I remember facing the idea (for the first time back then probably) that life itself can be a cage.

Re: Seconds
 

Could there be two sides to the existentialist perspective of human insignificance: horror/disgust and awe/beauty? The effect of seeing a nuclear explosion, for example.