Horror Extreme Movie Catalog

I remembered that the original "Stepford Wives" movie had been a great and fairly scary picture, so I bought the newer version on DVD a few years ago -- and was very disappointed. The newer version just didn't capture the mood or tone of the original. That DVD went went into a cardboard box filled with other of my "lesser" DVDs.
A few weeks ago, I was going through that box to determine which DVDs I would keep and which ones I would give or trade away.
When I came across my copy of the newer "Stepford Wives." I put into my discard box. Then, for some reason, I decided to keep it -- and order a DVD of my beloved original "The Stepford Wives" and some other DVDs.
When my order was delivered I watched the original for the first time in many years. It was just as I remembered, It was still the great movie even if it didn't seem as scary as I remembered. The acting, lighting and mood was wonderful, especially since it was in black and white It was thrilling -- and without the gore every few minutes that seem to be required by
so many modern movies to create thrills and chills.
A few days later I decided to watch the newer "Stepford Wives." As I watched the DVD I realized I was watching the same movie and, while the mood was so different from the original, it was a delightful movie. The colors added the tone of the movie and I realized I was watching an almost-satire of the original. It was an inspired version of the original without a fault, especially with the casting. The light touch was perfect.
Now, instead of loving just one movie, I have two versions of the same and two favorite movies to watch to my heart's content.

I love this film. This is film-making at its American Classic best. There is so much depth to this film. And the subtleties are amazing. I've seen it more than once and it really does have a lot of layers. Maybe, as a previous review indicated, it seems slow-paced compared to the movies we're accustomed to seeing now. However, if you watch closely there are a lot of things that are revealed but not underscored in a heavy-handed fashion. Joanna insists her husband finish doing the dishes as she does other kitchen chores. Joanna is asked if she's ever made it in front of a fireplace by her husband and she replies "Not with you." Joanna was a strong and opinionated woman, and that obviously grated on her weak-willed husband. The reasons he loved her to being with are also the reasons he plots to replace her.

I also really enjoyed the documentary that sheds some light on the behind-the-scenes casting and writing issues, such as learning Diane Keaton was originally to play Joanna but dropped out, and master-screenwriter William Goldman wrote a draft of the script and fought with producers and was fired.

To me, the plot's seemingly slow pace actually furthers the central theme - one way or another, moving to Stepford is going to envelop Joanna either like quicksand or the more horrifying ultimate truth. Joanna even unwittingly contributes to her own demise, allowing herself to be studied by the guys from the Mens' Association. By the time Joanna realizes what is happening, it is too late.

I tend to think of this film as more of a European film in some ways, rather than 1970's style filmmaking, because they don't do blatant exposition. They allow the viewer to see the clues and arrive at their own conclusion. It is a matter of treating the audience's intelligence with respect.