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Alice, Sweet Alice DVD Review

Alice Sweet Alice DVD ReviewDirector: Alfred Sole,

Starring: Linda Miller, Paula E. Sheppard, Niles McMaster, Jane Lowry, Rudolph Willrich, Mildred Clinton, Alphonso DeNoble, Michael Hardstark, Brooke Shields,

 Running Time: 106 Minutes

Certificate: 18

Extras: Audio Commentary with director and editor, alternative title sequence,

Every once in a while you find yourself coming across a film you’ve never heard of. You just assume it’s a generic entry into a crowded genre and you put it on not expecting much. That film ends up blowing you away, offering one of the greatest examples of its ilk, while simultaneously forcing you to question why it isn’t a staple classic. ALICE, SWEET ALICE is one such film, a delicious 1970s horror in the vein of DON’T LOOK NOW, PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK, and THE LITTLE GIRL WHO LIVES DOWN THE LANE.

ALICE, SWEET ALICE sees a family preparing for the first communion of their youngest daughter, Karen (Shields). However, Karen’s sister Alice (Sheppard) is a troubled child who likes practical jokes, scaring people, and displaying some genuinely disturbing behaviour. At the communion, Karen is horrifically murdered and much suspicion surrounds her sister. But is the evidence all coincidental and can we really judge based on a persons characteristics?The films strength is that it asks us genuine questions, as well as forcing us to think and experience these events in the same way as the characters. The film appears to give us a clear cut version of events, and bravely makes us dislike Alice, while always reminding us that there is a difference between troubled and naughty children, and homicidal maniacs…or is there?

Sole, who later settled in the film industry as a production designer, offers up a beautifully thought provoking film that still delivers on the horror and thriller side of things. Intense scenes echo the film’s inspiration, DON’T LOOK NOW, as well as the recurring iconography, most notably a yellow rain mac. Shots are beautifully constructed, and the film is surprisingly relevant, even today, as it asks us to question how children are viewed and how behaviour should be handled. The film could easily translate to today, but it’s doubtful anyone would be as thoughtful and precise in its construction.

When not scaring the life out of the audience, thanks to the realistic interpretation of events and sudden bursts of violence, it captures the dramatic struggle of the characters in pitch perfect scenes of frustration and annoyance. The outspoken aunt (Lowry) is certainly aggressive towards Alice, but is she just in her behaviour towards the unstable youngster, just as we also question whether the parents are too forgiving. Serving as the anchor for the entire plot is Sheppard’s performance as Alice. Unbelievably 19 at the time (she looks no older than 14), Sheppard is able to capture an unsettling level of adultness, while always playing to Alice’s cold, hollow interior, with a touch of vulnerability.

ALICE, SWEET ALICE needs and deserves far more attention than it gets, and should often frequent best of lists. The 70s was a great time for horror, and the fact that many ignored classics are still finding their way to home entertainment formats is an exciting prospect. A film that is made all the more spine chilling thanks to many ambiguous moments, this will stay with you as you ponder over its themes, visuals, and beautifully sinister story.

[usr=5]ALICE, SWEET ALICE is released on DVD on 17th February.

Luke likes many things, films and penguins being among them. He's loved films since the age of 9, when STARGATE and BATMAN FOREVER changed the landscape of modern cinema as we know it. His love of film extends to all aspects of his life, with trips abroad being planned around film locations and only buying products featured in Will Smith movies. His favourite films include SEVEN SAMURAI, PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC, IN BRUGES, LONE STAR, GODZILLA, and a thousand others.

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