MovieChat Forums > Suspicion (1941) Discussion > Far better than Spellbound...

Far better than Spellbound...


...although Spellbound is more known. Why is that?
Suspicion is much more entertaining and suspenseful. It seems at times to be similar to Rebecca.
Why isn't Suspicion one of Hitchcocks more famous films??? It stars both Joan Fontaine and Cary Grant!!!!

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My guess is the clout of Ingrid Bergman, the flawed ending of Suspicion, and the similarities to Rebecca, including a perception, although I think misguided, that Joan Fontaine is playing the same role. But I'm with you; it's a better movie.

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So true. Thanks!
I hope it was a hit then.

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I disagree, but that's probably all to do with the tone. The whole English high-society shenanigans at the start of Suspicion isn't my cup of tea but the thrills and drama as the movie builds up makes up for it. I'm not sure which has the more powerful acting performances (both Fontaine and Grant and Bergman and Peck are spectacular) but I think I'd personally tip my favour to Spellbound which had me wrapped up in tension throughout, even though the plotting in Suspicion is stronger.

"don't think...feeeeel"
james-clayton.blogspot.com/

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Suspicion is very similar to Rebecca, but more of that trademark Grant comedy at the same time eg. Imagine Olivier calling his leading ladely "Monkey Face"
vs. Grant....it's more expected out of Grant.

I personally liked Spellbound better. I thought it was written better and the more biased part of me says because of Ingrid Bergman

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

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Spellbound certainly is a lot more silly and smug in its preaching of the broad, simplistic Freudisms. I don´t like films that pretend to have all the answers.

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

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I also think Suspicion is better, asides from the ending. But I liked Spellbound very much too. If there was one thing I preferred in Spellbound it was the music for it is outstanding in that. Don't get me wrong, it is here too but the music in Spellbound is one of my favourite scores of all time. But I do think Hitchcock's direction was better in Suspicion. Plus Joan Fontaine was stunning here.






"Life after death is as improbable as sex after marriage"- Madeleine Kahn(CLUE, 1985)

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Suspicion (1941)- 10/10
Spellbound (1945)- 7/10

Volker Flenske: (While torturing David) I don't know why you're doing this to yourself!

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I think it's a darker movie and beat the system at its restrictive code. We are left knowing he will do bodily harm, and the code couldn't stop that. It's better to me for that analysis.

she loved poetry and romance, but she hit the glass ceiling at birth

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[deleted]

don't agree with you there, Spellbound had the better plot and atmosphere



so many movies, so little time

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