Good start, but then it gets ruined

I was totally surprised at how great this film.You could feel your paranoia rise as the film went on and as you gradually learned the details of the real situation.

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

Even though this movie was made when I was quite young, I first saw it years later when I was at an impressionable age, and found it to be a very moving story. The movie was changed quite a bit from the book, but both convey the story of a bereft, love-starved young girl who blossoms into a rapturously-fulfilled woman through an unexpected source. A handsome young man comes into her life while trying to escape other circumstances. Although I like both the movie and the book, the book has a much more hopeful ending and I don't know why the story was changed so much for the big screen. Nevertheless, I would very much like to see this movie become available to the public on DVD. Dean Stockwell as the young man is such a wonderful actor, very handsome, and much of his work of this period seems to be missing from publication. Melvyn Douglas is perfect as the domineering, abusive father, and Patricia Gozzi is lovely, vulnerable, and innocent just as is the central character in the book. This is a movie worth enjoying.

Anyone can make a coming of age love story so why bother? When a subject is handled with such superior abilities and skill I don't really care what the subject matter is. From the first to the last each scene is given the care and deliberation deserving of such a well picked cast and crew. This film has NOT been given its due and I don't know quite what to say about that. Like the Chalk Garden perhaps, the subject is almost taboo and just fierce enough to shock the main stream movie goer. Whatever the case I hope those of you curious enough to read these notes will with the same zeal find and devour this bittersweet morsel.

Rapture is a difficult film to explain. Many people will describe it in terms of themes, but those who have seen it can tell that there are many different themes. The story concerns a girl named Agnes (Patricia Gozzi) who acts slightly insane because of her difficulty to grow from a child into an adult. She lives with her distant father (Melvyn Douglas) and housekeeper Karen (Gunnel Lindblom) who do little to understand her. Agnes spends her time playing in the surf whistling with the sea gulls and taking care of her dolls. She desperately wants something of her own so she makes a scarecrow and cares for it like a child. Soon, an escaped criminal named Joseph (Dean Stockwell) comes and dons the scarecrow's clothes, causing Agnes to imagine that her creation has come to life. She convinces the family to take Joseph into their home and quickly becomes enamored with him.The move stars slowly but gets progressively better. Each character is complex and interesting, namely Agnes and Joseph. Their relationship is intriguing if not a bit disturbing. Physically, they are both very beautiful people. Gozzi is gorgeous despite wearing no makeup and acting like a child; she is reminiscent of Ingrid Bergman. Stockwell also looks like a composite of two classic stars: James Dean and Montgomery Clift.

This is a well-grounded psychological drama with with element of suspense. The directing and acting is excellent and seems contemporary. Melvin Douglas is awesome and Dean Stockwell and Pozzi not far behind. Cinematography is excellent with a beautiful black and white medium. It is intended for mature audiences and mental lightweights need not apply. I rate 4 stars out of 5.