THE MEPHISTO WALTZ
US, 1971, 108 minutes, Colour.
Alan Alda, Jacqueline Bissett, Barbara Parkins, Curt Jurgens, Kathleen Widdoes, Bradford Dillman, William Windom.
Directed by Paul Wendkos.
The Mephisto Waltz is in the devil-worship, psychological thriller genre like Rosemary's Baby. It does not have religious overtones and so is not controversial. Rather, it concentrates on telling a story and creating an atmosphere. There is a minimum of satanic paraphernalia, but a great deal of menacing detail that builds up suspense and fear. Jacqueline Bissett plays Paula, an ordinary housewife, whose husband, Myles, undergoes a strange personality transformation that turns him into a great pianist. This is the result of contact between himself and a strange father and daughter. The mysterious element of the film is balanced by the matter-of-fact, commonsense attitude of Paula until she begins to dream, then there are deaths and she is drawn into the world of devil-worship. The ending is alarming. There is always a curious fascination about the occult, evil powers and superstition. This film raises questions in a contemporary setting which makes it a little more frightening. Good entertainment but not for the too impressionable.
1. What were the implications of the title? Was this just another horror story or was there any more serious intent behind it?
2. Who was the central character of the film, Myles or Paula? Does it matter?
3. Did this film frighten you with its implications of the influence of Satan?
4. Why was Paula portrayed as normal and sceptical - did it highlight the actions of Myles and Roxanne, and thus make the ending more frightening?
5. Did you like Myles? Was he ambitious? Why was he attracted to Duncan Ely?
6. What did you think of Duncan Ely and Roxanne? What was wrong with them?
7. The witchcraft of Duncan Ely and Roxanne? Is it possible for the soul of one person to take over the personality and soul of another?
8. How did the film build up its atmosphere?
9. Did the music convey atmosphere and inspiration to the film?
10. Were the dreams sequences handled well?
11. How did Myles bring forth the personality of Duncan Ely?
12. Why was Abby part of the bargain with the devil?
13. What was the point of the interlude with Bill Delancey? How did he contrast with Myles?
14. What made Paula neurotic? Was it the preceding events and the fear that she too would be murdered? Comment on her visit to steal the oil and the fight and murder of the dog?
15. What drove Paula into witchcraft - love, jealousy, fear, neurosis? Did she contact Satan?
16. Were you horrified at what Paula did?
17. What was the significance of the ending?
18. Is this type of film 'healthy' entertainment? Does it criticise superstition or foster it?
19. Is this kind of film a parable about the complexity of human emotions and desperation?
