Wow! Such a good movie.

Tied for the best movie I have ever seen

Charming and brutal

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

If you've never seen an Ingrid Bergman movie, do not start with The Visit. I'm not going to tell you the plot, but I will give you that warning. Rent Casablanca or Gaslight or Saratoga Trunk-just don't rent The Visit. So, since I'm not going to tell you the plot, what can I say to recommend this tense, exciting drama? In the opening credits, Ingrid Bergman's entourage is credited: Wardrobe designed by Rene Hubert, Executed by Nina Ricci, Makeup by John O'Gorman, Hair by Giorgio of Rome, Furs by Maurice Kotler, and Jewels by Bulgari. If that seems excessive, it's only because you haven't seen the movie yet. Ingrid is breathtakingly beautiful, more beautiful than in any other movie. Her exquisite costumes, furs, hats, and jewels fit right in with her character; she even has a pet cheetah! Not only does she command attention by her physical appearance, her performance in The Visit is perhaps the best of her career, rivaled only by my sentimental favorite, Gaslight. Anthony Quinn is the male lead in the film-both Tony and Ingrid were co-producers of the film-and while it's impossible to take attention away from Ingrid in this movie, his performance is also very good. Ingrid is such a larger-than-life woman that often she overshadows her leading men. Tony can not only stand up against her energy, but he has an abundance of his own to give. Fans of unsettling films like A Farewell to Fools will find a new favorite in this stylized classic. It will leave you wanting more, and it will drain you. And, in the day and age of the feminist resurgence, it could easily be remade with any number of Hollywood icons vying for the lead.Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, since there's an upsetting scene involving an animal, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.

This is a very "European" looking film, with many of the conventions of European film-making. At the beginning I was trying to figure why the film looked or sounded dubbed, even though the characters were all clearly speaking the lines in English. Turns out, as I read elsewhere, that in many European films, the dialogue is overdubbed AFTER the scenes are shot, which was the case here and would explain this. The sound seems detached from what the acoustics of the setting would be. At any rate, it's a great story with a great premise and great acting. Ingrid Bergmann is absolutely mesmerizing here, and Quinn does his usual wonderful work. There are some artificialities in this story of a wronged woman who returns to her natal town to wreak revenge, but on the whole the story is gripping, as we watch the town, driven by greed, slowly turn on one of its own. The black and white photography is perfect for the story. The final scene is a completely surprising plot twist, and powerful in its fateful implications for the town. "The Visit" is a rarity on TV; catch it if you can.

Ingrid Bergman has been in many great movies (including some of my all time favorites); but this is not one of them.Bergman is fine as the bitter rich woman, Karla Zachanassian, coming back to her small town to extract revenge on the man (Anthony Quinn) who spurned her. Anthony Quinn is also in top form playing the graying middle aged man, who gave up her love to become a successful shopkeeper. Despite the powerful performances from very good actors, the movie seems very long and slow.There are definitely some good scenes and interesting moments, but nothing ever overcomes the overall sense of grayness and loss.Overall this is not a movie I would recommend, except for those who admire great acting (and actors) no mater what the story.

I read Der Besuch Der Alten Dame by Durrenmatt in German in college. This book has been one of my favorites as it shows how people might or could act in a similar situation. The book is superior to movie because of the powerful ending. Displays extreme revenge by a powerful rich woman. Shows how greedy some people are. Makes you wonder who you true friends are. But because the book was written in German and I read many years ago, I have forgotten many details about it. In the movie, the policeman and the young girl were secret lovers like the main characters. The young girl leaves and who knows may become another rich powerful woman who seeks revenge on her lover. Only time will tell. I wonder if I would react as the greedy peasants did.