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starring: Jane Wyman, Rock Hudson, Barbara Rush, Agnes Moorehead, Otto Krugerdirected by: Douglas Sirk
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786300183896
Format: Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
ISBN: 6300183890
Label: Universal Studios
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Universal Studios
Release Date: January 01, 1998
Running Time: 108 minutes
Sales Rank: 6831
Studio: Universal Studios
Theatrical Release Date: August 07, 1954
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Editorial Review:
Amazon.com:
Rock Hudson became a beefcake star playing a self-absorbed, thrill-chasing millionaire playboy in the first of Douglas Sirk's glossy Technicolor melodramas. In a classic example of the wicked machinations of soap opera fate, Hudson's showboating antics kill the most saintly man in motion-picture history and stalk his newlywed widow (Jane Wyman), driving her into an accident that leaves her blind. The kindly attentions of a bohemian painter and part-time guardian angel help turn Hudson's life around, and he rejects his irresponsible lifestyle and dedicates himself to his new 'magnificent obsession' of philanthropy and good deeds, meanwhile romancing Wyman in a sincere, soft-spoken voice and with a phony name. Magnificent Obsession was a huge success and established a style Sirk would refine through the 1950s, reaching a baroque peak in Written on the Wind and culminating with what may be his most successful and most famous film, Imitation of Life. Compared to his later successes, this is arch and flat, lacking the ironic edge and luscious style of his best films, but it's an exceedingly handsome production in bold, bright colors where swooning romance and life-saving operations define life as an emotional roller coaster of mythic proportions. --Sean Axmaker
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Good story but ending not believable
I enjoyed the story and loved how a person can choose to change his life for the better. However, for Dr. Merrick to suddenly appear at a sanitarium in New Mexico, and then have a very nice operating room complete with viewing window that you might imagine finding in a large well equiped hospital was a little difficult to swallow. The nurse and companion, Nancy, suddenly became a scrub nurse and miraculously knew every instrument!! And then, to top it off, after a very long and difficult surgery, ... Read More
Rating:  - The investment of one's life in others...will be a magnificent obsession.
This film is about a selfish millionaire playboy, Bob Merrick (played by Rock Hudson), who is involved in a boating accident that indirectly causes the death of a beloved local physician, Dr. Phillips, and the blindess of the doctor's wife (played by Jane Wyman). Bob Merrick deeply regrets all of the pain he has caused the doctor's family, and decides to abandon his old ways. He starts a new life focused on his "magnificent obsession", his dedication to helping others, which was inspired by the life ... Read More
Rating: - Great Classic -
This is a wonderful classic movie.. available by import on DVD.. beware some of the cheap ones are not very good .. but there is another release of this movie at a higher price that is very good quality.
Rating: - More Than A Movie...
This is about a man laying hold of the greatest power in the world. In this film we see Rock Hudson undergo a transformation from irresponsible playboy to a dedicated, caring, passionate man with purpose. The supporting cast played beautifully by Jane Wyman, Agnes Moorehead, and Otto Krueger enriches the whole film. Douglas Sirk directed this masterpiece and of course, as usual, uses lavish color as he weaves a certain mood across the entire movie. I can't understand why no one in Hollywood can find ... Read More
Rating: - The soundtrack is the best part!
The story is sentimental yet illuminating, and the acting is fine, but the most significant achievement of this film is its lovely soundtrack. Based on haunting themes by Chopin and Beethoven (the beautiful choral movement of his 9th symphony), the mesmerizing melodies of Magnificent Obsession deserve to be noted.
As I teen, I listened to my longplay recording of the soundtrack until I nearly wore it out. With many old musical soundtracks being reissued on CD, I dearly hope that this one will ... Read More
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