ABSOLUTION / SHOCKED (DVD) DVD

Mesmerized
This psychodrama is set in New Zealand during the 1880s and is based on the true story of an orphaned 18-year-old who marries a cruel, much-older man. He constantly abuses her and keeps her under his thumb until she snaps and using hypnotism, kills him. Later she is tried in court. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Absolution
Two Catholic boarding school students (Dominic Guard and Dai Bradley) embark upon a carefully calculated campaign to drive their hated headmaster (Richard Burton) insane. The boys launch their scheme by cooking up the most bizarre and depraved of imaginary sins, then recite these infractions in the Confessional. This sadistic little game gets wildly out of hand, resulting in murder. It's a toss-up as to who is the most repulsive character; the headmaster or his two charges. One of a long line of 1970s stinkers barely redeemed by the presence of Richard Burton, Absolution was not released until 1988, long after Burton's death. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast Jodie Foster as Victoria John Lithgow as Oliver Thompson Michael Murphy as Wilson Harry Andrews as Old Thompson Dan Shor as George Philip Holder as Dr. Finch Reg Evans as Mr. Simmons Jonathan Hardy as Burley Don Selwyn as Joseph Derek Hardwick as Longwood Richard Burton as Fr. Goddard Dominic Guard as Benjie Dai Bradley as Arthur Billy Connolly as Blakey Andrew Keir as Headmaster Willoughby Gray as Brig. Gen. Walsh James Ottaway as Father Matthews Jon Plowman as Father Piers Trevor Martin as Gladstone Sharon Duce as Louella Brian Glober as First policeman Dan Meaden as Second policeman

Crew Denis Holt - Associate Producer Anthony Page - Director John Victor Smith - Editor Georges Pappas - Executive Producer Stanley Myers - Composer (Music Score) Natasha Kroll - Production Designer John Coquillon - Cinematographer Natasha Kroll - Producer Elliott Kastner - Producer Danny O'Donovan - Producer Anthony Shaffer - Screenwriter Denis Holt - Associate Producer Anthony Page - Director John Victor Smith - Editor Georges Pappas - Executive Producer Stanley Myers - Composer (Music Score) Natasha Kroll - Production Designer John Coquillon - Cinematographer Natasha Kroll - Producer Elliott Kastner - Producer Danny O'Donovan - Producer Anthony Shaffer - Screenwriter

Mesmerized
(not reviewed)
 

Absolution
(not reviewed)
 

(no awards)

General Specifications: Language Options: Subtitle Options: Sound Processing: DD2: Dolby Digital Stereo Additional Features: Interactive menu Biographies Movie review Trivia quiz Scene selector MPAA Rating: DVD Discs Included: 1 DVD Sides: 1 DVD DVD Region Code: Content Length: min   DVD Chapters: Side #1 -- 1. Chapter 1 [1:23] 2. Chapter 2 [6:56] 3. Chapter 3 [10:11] 4. Chapter 4 [9:52] 5. Chapter 5 [7:59] 6. Chapter 6 [7:38] 7. Chapter 7 [8:59] 8. Chapter 8 [7:20] 9. Chapter 9 [6:12] 10. Chapter 10 [15:47] 1. Chapter 1 [10:20] 2. Chapter 2 [8:34] 3. Chapter 3 [7:36] 4. Chapter 4 [6:39] 5. Chapter 5 [9:02] 6. Chapter 6 [8:44] 7. Chapter 7 [6:37] 8. Chapter 8 [8:22] 9. Chapter 9 [7:18] 10. Chapter 10 [9:04]