The Medusa Touch (1978) User Reviews

well directed, well cast, excellent adaptation of book

[ginish666 · 8/10 · 6 December 2004]

The manner in which the film was chronographed was somewhat unique. In real time the main character, Morlar, is comatized by severe head trauma. In fact the movie opens with his attempted murder. The unfolding of events in the ensuing investigation are presented with smooth transitions from flashback to present in order to create a sense of fatalistic inevitability. The director takes a very difficult path to achieve this but I think he pulled it off very effectively. Look for little tricks to smooth out the staccato chronological transitions. Small similarities between outgoing and incoming scenes create a more seamless effect.Also, the sounds of a former scene would linger for a couple of seconds after the transition, further uniting past & present to emphasize the inevitable hopelessness of the inspectors situation. It also serves to demonstrate Morlar's indomitable, fatalistic will.

All the characters are well (and cleverly)cast, particularly Richard Burton as Morlar. VonGreenway's book comments on the intensity of Morlar's character and his riveting gaze. Burton was obviously intimately familiar with the text as his rendition of Morlar is, to say the least, riveting.

The apocryphal elements added by the director, the cataclysmic disasters vastly improve the story's big-screen appeal, even if they were a bit of a departure from the text. The director simplifies the text by only indirectly referring to Morlar's political agenda. To follow the text in this would be setting up an entirely different story and would distract from the immediacy of the peril Morlar represents for the inspector and the psychiatrist.

The "tongue in cheek" manner in which these two meet serves to show a comprehensive understanding of the text, it gives clear notice (to those familiar with the book) the text cannot realistically be followed in every way. "I'm sorry I was expecting a man." the inspector explains his reaction to her. "That's alright, I was expecting an English Inspector." She responds. This, of course, was a reference to the characters as they appeared in the book.

This is a well directed film, making sense of a difficult text in an acceptable time frame. Richard Burton was an excellent choice as Morlar, he has a dominating presence that lends well to the character. These things along with an excellent rendition of a sensational, compelling story make the Medusa Touch one of the best suspense films ever.

"I'm the man with the power to create catastrophe".

[lost-in-limbo · 7/10 · 29 December 2018]

And he isn't kidding! An unusually rigid, dark and hazy telekinetic crossed disaster driven supernatural-thriller, predictably told and methodically directed, but the spectacle starts out like a cerebral murder-mystery before the bleak, schlocky mayhem bursts from the seams. Once a weary-eyed Richard Burton starts staring into your soul... only means upcoming doom is near. About an hour away... give or take.

The story follows a French detective Brunel (Lino Ventura who's great here) on temporary assignment for Scotland yard, as he investigates the attempted murder of a writer, John Morlar, who now lays comatose in a hospital bed. However there's something strange about this case, and this man. He learns from Morlar's psychiatrist Dr Zonfeld (a really cold Lee Remick), and Morlar's journals, he believed he could predict the future, and eventually cause disasters, or even death.

This leads to a lot of red herrings, where motivations are unravelled through Brunel's consistent digging of the facts, although it's not hard to figure who was the attempted murderer. So when that's finally revealed, everything suddenly changes and the story comes into its own feeling like there's a lot more at stake. The script through flashbacks, interestingly gives an insight into Morlar's decaying mindset, as his psychic ability grows and bitter distain for life (especially for the establishment) festers. Therefore the morbid nature of its bubbling intentions builds and shocks begin to multiply, which always seem to end in tragedy, and once its starts... there's no going back. It's going to end, like it began... Morlar will see to that with an excellent, fitting ending.

One of the movies that create atmosphere

[FAJNYFILM · 8/10 · 31 March 2022]

It is one of the movies you remember for years. I saw it when I was..... anyway it was some 30 or 35 years ago.... At that time I enjoyed the plot and general idea of power of human brain.

Today I also notice other levels - performances, actors, editing.

Richard Burton is a classic. Always great.

Lino Ventura perfect.

Very good performance of Lee Ventura assistant. This guy played that nasty Nazi officer in Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade. I love noticing such details. It somehow shows the career paths.

The plot is simple - man is presumed killed to death yet he somehow regains life and his brain is working. And he affect the world. The policeman slowly runs his investigation until he understands the reality.

One of the most horrific scenes is when Burton tells his doctor about the things he can do he steps out to the balcony, looks and the airplane and makes it crash........ just to prove....

Movie focuses on plot and character play. It was 1978 so do not expect CGI yet this movie proves good story does not need too many effects...

UNDERRATED SUPERNATURAL THRILLER

[creativeguy0123 · 13 October 2002]

Hmm. Some of the reviewers here have complained about the film's slow pacing. Well, yes...compared to the MTV style edited movies of the past 5 years, I'd have to agree. But, the pacing is also necessary in order to show the slow psychological breakdown of the lead character. It's a slow burn type of story, and the filmmakers were much more concerned with building a creepy atmosphere than bombarding us with CGI effects, blood and gore, and whatever else passes for supernatural horror these days.

Besides, Richard Burton on a bad day is better than most actors at their best.

If "Jason X" and other hollow, special effects driven films are your idea of horror...then this isn't the film for you. The Medusa Touch is a methodically paced thriller, aimed at genre fans who enjoy a more thoughtful kind of horror film. If you enjoyed "Don't Look Now," then this is the type of film for you.

If you have the rare opportunity to catch this obscure film, you should at least give it a fair shake. Then you can decide for yourself.

Interesting but underrrated catastrophe/fantasy movie with thrills , chills, suspense and adequate FX

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 9 July 2022]

This supernatural thriller deals with John Morlar (Richard Burton) , while he's watching a British television broadcast an anchorman explains that American astronauts are trapped in orbit around the moon. Suddenly someone in Morlar's room picks up a figurine and strikes him on the head repeatedly. His blood splatters the television screen. French Detective-Inspector Brunel (Lino Ventura) along with his helper (Michael Byrne) arrive at Morlar's flat to start the criminal investigation. At first he thinks Morlar is dead, but soon he hears him breathe. As the man was struck over the head and being admitted to a hospital . Meantime, weird disasters befall the surrounding city . At the hospital, Morlar is hooked up to life support systems, one machine in particular monitors the activity of his battered brain . It seems that despite his unconscious state, the man is using his telekinetic powers to will things to happen. As Morlar states : ¨I am the man with the power to create catastrophe¨, as he has the power to move objects , to cause the death of anyone who stands in his way . Richard Burton is the man with the medusa touch ... he has the power to create catastrophe! . As he possesses a powerful gift , Telekinesis : A mental force that enables this man to move objects and control events. Science cannot explain the awesome power of the mind. And nothing can control it ! .

This horror-style story contains intriguing events, thriller , chiller , suspense , tension and disaster images . Main and support cast are pretty good , as Richard Burton playing the telekinetic novelist who causes disasters simply by thinking about them , he's top-notch , especially when scathingly giving a vitriolic disection of his faithless wife , but the real starring is the French Lino Ventura who is terrific as the stubborn police inspector . Support cast is magnificent with plenty of notorious British secondaries , such as : Michael Hordern , Alan Badel , Gordon Jackson , Michael Byrne , Derek Jacobi , Robert Lang , Robert Flemyng, Philip Stone , Malcolm Tierney , Jeremy Brett and Harry Andrews .

It displays a thrilling and exciting musical score by Michael J. Lewis . As well as colorful and appropriate cinematography by Arthur Ibbetson . The motion picture was professionally directed by Jack Gold. Jack was born in London and being a prestigious director and producer , known for Bofors guns (1968) , The Reckoning (1970) , Man Friday (1975) , Aces high (1976) , The Medusa touch (1978), The Chain (1984) , Escape from Sobibor (1987), and Goodnight, Mister Tom (1998). ¨The Medusa Touch (1978) is a rehash of the catastrophe genre along with supernatural powers clichés in which the splendid casting stands out . Rating : 6.5/10, nice and entertaining . It's a fairly watchable and breathtaking film and it results to be a good treatment of telekinesis theme along with disaster movies. Enthusiasts of horrific hokum will enjoy themselves ehile cynics chuckle . Essential and indispensable watching for Lino Ventura, Lee Remick and Richard Burton fans.

Burton brings it on!

[Stevieboy666 · 7/10 · 26 November 2020]

Don't you just hate it when you think of a review title only to find that somebody has beaten you to it!!?? So "I have a gift for disaster" was to be my first choice. Anyway the late, great Richard Burton is sat at home watching the TV when a visitor calls by and bashes him over the head. The police are called for an apparent murder but turns out that he's not dead. Taken to hospital he remains in a comatose state apart from his brain which is driving the attached monitor nuts! Burton plays a writer with telekinetic powers, he discovers these when a boy and uses them to kill his nanny, then his parents. Much of the film has him telling his life story in a series of flash backs, I liked this part of the plot a lot. As a middle aged man he has now set his sights on the mass destruction of innocents. Can he be stopped? These type of movies were popular around this time, titles such as Carrie, Patrick, Psychic Killer and The Fury spring to mind, even The Omen, and The Medusa Touch is a good addition. I can remember watching this on TV at least twice when I was a kid and several decades later I came across a nice print being screened on a British TV channel that specialises in older movies. It was great to revisit it. Burton was without question one of the finest actors to come out of the UK and I really enjoyed his performance here, but I thought the rest of the cast that includes many familiar faces to be good also. The movie does build to a gripping finale, this film is horror, thriller and disaster all rolled into one.

The Medusa Touch

[CinemaSerf · 7/10 · 4 June 2023]

Though top billed in this, Richard Burton features but sparingly as a man with a tortured past. His recollections to his psychiatrist "Dr. Zonfeld" (Lee Remick) are relayed to police inspector "Brunel" (Lino Ventura) after he ("Morlar") is found savagely beaten at his London flat. As the investigation expands, it is clear that the normal rules do not apply here. "Morlar" shouldn't even be alive, yet his brain activity coupled with a spate of accidents and with the ever more revealing - but sensational - revelations about his disaster-prone past lead "Brunel" and the Assistant Commissioner (Harry Andrews) to a conclusion that, well, they just cannot believe. Ventura is good in this, as is the understated, but effective Remick. There are plenty of twists that keep the obvious from becoming too obvious, too soon, and when called upon, Burton contributes well in a sort of manic, epitome of evil, manner. It is a bit dialogue heavy at times, but the last twenty minutes are great drama well put together. A good bit of telekinetic terror!

Dark psychological thriller

[Mikew3001 · 9/10 · 13 August 2002]

"The Medusa Touch" is a typical seventies "devil conspiracy" movie like the popular "The Exorcist" and "The Omen" series combined with the typical paranoia and disaster movies between "Earthquake" and "Airport". The late Richard Burton plays an obsessed psychic who tries to convince a psychiatrist (Lee Remick) of his demonic power to kill people and to cause disasters just by the strength of his thoughts. Being a victim of an assassination and a coma patient in a hospital, his mad thoughts are causing even worse attacks on buildings that are causing the death of hundreds of people. French cop Lino Ventura, working as a guest policeman in London, tries to find out the mystery of Burton's dark life.

Although there's not much action, this horror movie is thrilling and dominated by the convincing performances of the actors. There is a sinister atmosphere of terror and paranoia all around, and you expect the unexpected in every single moment. A fine psychological terror movie in typical seventies style that is worth being watched!

"I wanna destroy passers by"

[Ali_John_Catterall · 7/10 · 12 November 2009]

"I'm not terribly pro-establishment," says veteran TV and film director Jack Gold, and a glance at his CV confirms it; from 1973's The National Health to The Naked Civil Servant and the anti-Thatcherite Good And Bad At Games, Gold's output tends to reflect the nation's malaise during any given decade.

Of Richard Burton's destructive nihilist John Morlar, Gold professes, "I agree with his opinions"; sentiments with which original audiences might also have concurred. The Medusa Touch is a perfect film for Britain in the 1970s - that bleakest of decades, subject to mainland bombings, loss of national identity, union strangleholds, decaying estates and governmental corruption on an unprecedented scale. And, of course, Punk: a spiritual ally of John Lydon and Co, all Morlar lacks is a dog collar and a safety pin through his nose.

1978 had its fair share of neo-supernatural and conspiracy thrillers, including Magic, The Eyes Of Laura Mars, the Kaufman remake of Invasion Of The Body Snatchers, Boys From Brazil, Omen II and Capricorn One - but the complex (and very English) Medusa Touch doesn't quite belong to either category; The Fury probably comes closest, with its tale of raging telekinetic twins.

As the film opens, novelist John Morlar has just had his head bashed in with a figurine of Napoleon by assailants unseen. As he lies hospitalised in a coma, with a faltering pulse but a "screaming" brain EEG, it's up to French detective Brunel (Ventura) to discover whodunnit and why.

Through flashbacks, we discover the misanthropic Morlar's terrible gift - the ability to kill with his mind. Before the first hour is up, he's dispatched his nanny, his parents, his schoolteacher, a high court judge, his neighbour, and his wife and her lover, in steady succession. Branching out into mass-murder, he sends a jet liner crashing into a skyscraper, simply to prove to his sceptical psychiatrist Dr Zonfeld (Remick) that he can - "If you say coincidence to me again, I shall drive my fist through your face." As a vindictive aside, he also bungs-up a manned space flight. But Morlar (who's keeping himself alive through sheer willpower) is just warming up; good as his word - "The moment they begin to pray I will bring the whole edifice down on their unworthy heads" - he crowns a bunch of visiting Commonwealth dignitaries with huge chunks of Westminster Abbey.

It's around about now that Brunel starts to believe what we've known all along. Coincidence? Nah. As the film ends, Morlar (whose very name suggests a cross between a decaying tooth and a subterranean cellar-dweller) falteringly scrawls the name of his next target on a notepad beside his bed: "Windscale." Ouch.

Aside from the cultural anachronisms (""I was expecting a man!" a surprised Brunel tells Doctor Zonfeld), and a high-level conspiracy subplot that goes nowhere, The Medusa Touch feels surprisingly fresh, even contemporary, with its ghastly scene of a jet slamming into a tower block. The wonderful supporting cast, including Gordon Jackson, Derek Jacobi, Harry Andrews and Jeremy Brett (least of all cameos Shaw Taylor and Gordon Honeycombe), reads like a who's who of British stage and screen.

But the fact this hysterical, if at times rather plodding, melodrama succeeds at all is mostly down to Burton who was having a dry spell at the time (but looks like he's woken up in a skip), along with the vituperative richness of his dialogue. As the director says, it's "the sort of stuff Burton eats for breakfast".

Morlar's motivation isn't blackmail or revenge - he's just a grumpy old bastard who appeals to the irritable git in all of us. "Don't bother me with your middle-class crap," he tells a woman soliciting members for her tennis club. Burton's rants are worth the price of admission on their own, whether ruminating on the relationship between power and evil ("To build a cenotaph, first choose a million victims") or willing his fish-wife neighbour to toss herself out of the window.

This particular scene is one of the highlights of what is often a blackly comic film. Sighs Brunel, on being told of another supporting character's mysterious fate, "Let me guess..."

Behind-the-scenes footage on the 2006 Network DVD edition shows how the film crew 'destroyed' Westminster Abbey (without harming a single extra therein). It's 18 minutes of utter dullness. Anyone who's been a film extra will immediately recognise the tedium involved - the sitting around, the sudden flurry of activity, the sitting around again. Spot the crewmember to the left of shot casually chucking a polystyrene concrete block into the fray.

In the audio commentary, Stephen Jones recalls horror films being "in the dumps" when the film first came out, which obviously didn't faze director Jack Gold, who describes the origins of the film and getting it off the ground. We learn Lee Remick didn't want to do the film initially, feeling it was too close to The Omen, while screenwriter John Briley (who also wrote Gandhi) hadn't been crazy about Peter Van Greenaway's original source novel - "he had to be talked into it". "I'd rather watch this than Gandhi," chuckles Kim Newman.

Gold reveals Burton was actually off the booze while fiming - "He was taking a pill that made you sick when you drank." All three concur that the jet liner-into-skyscraper scene is standout ("This is an astonishingly well-made film for the 1970s!" breathes Jones), and Gold describes being in New York during 9/11 and making a connection: "My God, it's just like The Medusa Touch!"

Nevertheless, "It's not a film of my heart," the director concedes, which momentarily stumps Newman and Jones into silence; after all, they've just spent over an hour-and-a-half indulging the man, and talking the thing up. No, says Gold, "I've more attachment to my small films for television." But ultimately he thinks, "It's a good story, well told." What more could you ask for?

I have a gift for disaster.......

[jol-4 · 10/10 · 29 May 2000]

The Medusa Touch is a film that i could just watch over and over again. The story, acting and directing (as well as the effects for the time) were truly brilliant. Richard Burton once again showed all the other Hollywood actors what he is worth (and i bet deep down inside they knew too). The film is basically about an odd, private man who has the evil power to inflict death just by looking at them. The build up to the film is superb as is the actual way the French investigator (Leo Ventura) goes about investigating Morlar's (Burton) death. The film was filmed entirely in England and has that very British feel to it but watching Burton in that film makes me feel sad that he is not alive today because only Anthony Hopkins can be compared to this true gem of an actor.

Effective chiller

[Rrrobert · 7/10 · 28 July 2012]

This is an engrossing crime investigation film with an unusual format that extensively utilises flashbacks. The flashbacks are seamlessly integrated into the story and soon the audience is almost unaware of the switching back and forth.

The main storyline, focusing on the investigation of detective Brunel, is intriguing with the feel of a European gangster film. This is contrasted with the flashbacks to Morlar, many of which have a different, more English tone. Especially interesting are the flashbacks to Morlar's earlier life: the vignettes involving his parents, his school days, his work as a barrister and a domestic argument between his neighbours in London are excellent. The flashbacks, especially some of those to Doctor Zonfeld and the publisher, Townley, are integrated into the main storyline in an ingenious manner.

The last part of the film moves away from police intrigue to telekinesis thriller. While the change from gritty police drama to supernatural fantasy is a little jarring the audience is soon gripped by the new threat and goes along for the ride.

The cast is excellent. Richard Burton seems chillingly restrained. Lino Ventura is the perfect choice as a world weary detective who essentially carries the main story - it is too bad they chose to overdub his voice with that of another actor as this seems quite distracting. Lee Remick as Doctor Zonfeld and Harry Andrews are also very effective in their roles. The cast is made up of many recognisable actors in cameos who are all extremely interesting and effective.

Excellent combination of murder mystery, supernatural thriller, and disaster film; one of my favorite films

[gridoon2024 · 9/10 · 2 February 2019]

"The Medusa Touch" is a well-kept secret that more people need to discover. I have watched this film more times than I can count, and I notice something new every time; the last time got me thinking about the subtle difference between wanting something to happen and making it happen. It starts as a whodunit, develops into a supernatural thriller, and climaxes as a disaster film. The whodunit has a powerful resolution, the supernatural element is introduced through a seamless flashback-within-flashback structure which guides the viewer step-by-step from the realistic to the mind-expanding, the disaster aspect works thanks to some still-impressive special effects. There are lots of memorable scenes here, from the death of Morlar's parents to his visit to a psychic who gets so terrified by what he senses that he can't even look at him. The film is perfectly cast: Richard Burton with his commanding voice and piercing eyes, the classy, beautiful, intelligent Lee Remick, the instantly likable Lino Ventura. The "Omen"-like chilling music score is the icing on the cake. ***1/2 out of 4.

Destructhor

[Tweetienator · 7/10 · 10 April 2019]

The Medusa Touch is a fine and intelligent supernatural horror/thriller about a man with psychokinetic/telekenetic powers - best watch without reading too much of the story, just give it a try: a movie with Richard Burton and Lino Ventura in the cast can't be any bad.

Only worthwhile to see Burton.

[innocuous · 5/10 · 10 October 2008]

TMT is not an awful movie, but it isn't a very good one. Surfing the wave of telekinetic movies that were churned out after "Carrie" was a surprise hit in 1976, TMT puts a distinctively British spin on horror. There are some aspects of the movie that are admirable...the approach to storytelling through intermingling of past and present, the (relative) lack of violence, the supporting characters, and a sly sense of humor, for example. But the only really compelling reason to watch this movie is to hear Richard Burton. What acting he does is quite minimal, but the dialogue snaps to life when he delivers his lines. Lee Remick. on the other hand, is trying to handle a role she simply doesn't have the chops for.

Having watched the movie again just recently, I have come to believe that it would have been a much better movie if it had even less violence than it does. The opening scene is compulsory, but some disaster footage later in the movie would have been even more effective if it had been implied, rather than shown.

Overall, a fairly effective and relatively bloodless horror film.

It was scary then, and it's still scary now.

[manxmikea · 20 February 2001]

I remember seeing this on TV many years ago, and I'm glad I caught it at such a young age. Back then it was really scary, but even today - when we're blessed (or cursed) with visual effects that are so convincing - it is still capable of sending a shiver up my spine.

The film's pace is methodical, but Richard Burton admirably conveys a sense of quiet menace as he loses his grip on sanity during a series of flashbacks. The acting by the other leads is solid enough, but the film is all about Burton's chilling psychic powers, and when they are let loose at the film's climax, the result is genuinely shocking.

Master of Disaster

[sol1218 · 7/10 · 9 August 2012]

***SPOILERS***It's when author and former barrister John Morlar,Richard Burton,is found dead in his apartment with his brains bashed in it's suspected that he was the victim of a home invasion even though nothing was taken from the place. Later before his body even got cold to the astonishment of the police coroner and transplanted French Inspetor Brounel, Lino Ventura, who's on loan to London's Scotland Yard Morlar suddenly comes to life! At the local hospital it's discovered that Morlar's brain is working at a double or triple time pace yet his heart beat in barley audible. What's the reason for Morlar's sudden resurrection is that he's got some unfinished business to take care of that will end up wiping out all of London including the royal family top British Government officials and the Church of England which the cynical and atheist Morlar hates with a passion!

Inspector Brunel goes to Morlar's psychiatrist whom he found extensively written about in his rambling journals Doctor Zonfeld, Lee Remick, to get the lowdown from her just what this unstable and crazy guy was all about! As well as who may have murdered or tried to murder him! And what he get's from the doctor is a story of death and destruction that goes back to when he was a pre teenager that Morlar feels that he with his supernatural and demonic powers was responsible for! At first believing that Morlar's claims of his power to will death and destruction on the world as well as individuals that he hates to be the ravings of a deranged lunatic Inspector Brunel can't put out of his mind, like Dr. Zonfeld couldn't, why is he still alive and why his brainwaves are somehow effecting events in the world around him.

We get to see Morlar in action in a number of chilling flashbacks where he willed, with his snake-like eyes, death on anyone whom he felt messed with him or just gave him a hard time. It's later in his life when his ungrateful old lady and two timing wife Pat, Marle-Christine Barraut, told Morlar that she was leaving him for her lover bit actor Jeremy Brett, Edward Parris, which he was more then happy to see her go. But when Pat brought up what complete dud he was in bed and how Morlar fathered their stillborn child that he then really let his powers of death and destructions kick in. It's within an hour after Pat left him for good that Morlar got the "good news" from a police spokesman that she and her lover Edward were killed in a car accident! As happy as Morler was in hearing about the sudden demise of his ungrateful wife and her playboy lover he also now came to realize that his powers were real and with him slowly going insane he won't be able to control them anymore in the future! Thus leading to the deaths in disasters that he wills, with his uncontrollable brainwaves, countless thousands of human beings!

***SPOILERS*** It soon becomes apparent that it was non other then Dr.Zonfeld herself who smashed Morlar skull in and for good reason. He had earlier demonstrated his destructive telekinesis power by causing a disastrous 9/11, 23 years before the real 9/11 terrorist attack happened, like plane crash into a high rise office building in downtown London that ended up killing over 700 people. Now with him, or his brain, still alive and kicking Morlar is ready to cause far greater damage and destruction that's unless the life support system keeping him and his brain alive is shut off immediately!

Very disturbing film with no happy ending with a both witty and sarcastic Richard Burton outstanding as the green eyed monster and "Master of Disaster" John Morlan. A man whom the world and society ignored in not treating him for his sever mental and emotional problems and is now damned, in what's to become a major nuclear power plant melt-down, to suffer for it.

Well made psychological thriller

[neil-douglas2010 · 7/10 · 8 April 2022]

Similar in pacing to 1976's The Omen, this film shares the same well choreographed set pieces and also boasts a cast based on US stars and British TV and Film favourites. The film itself is interesting and well acted, especially from Richard Burton ( it's in his eyes ) and Lee Remick . Possibly could be an 8/10, but for me it does look like a TV movie.

Who Knew Richard Burton Could Stoop So Low and Make It Work?

[MITCH! · 7/10 · 20 September 1999]

Every once in awhile an actor slums into a part that he or she never would have touched with a ten foot pole in their heyday. Frequently, these roles amount to a lot of fallen grace and pity from those of us who once respected the matinee idols who have stooped to absurd and badly written roles in absurd and badly written films.

And yet, just once in awhile -- or else it would cease to be remarkable -- you wind up with an actor who takes the garbled trash he's been handed and he makes it ALMOST worth watching. I'll have you know I delayed a dinner date for an hour and a half just to watch the end of this film, and I was hungry! That is the power, the talent, the ham of The Medusa Touch, which smacks of The Pink Panther meets The French Connection -- it never knows how seriously it should take itself, it doesn't know if it's a drama or a parody, and the cheap thrills take so long to unfold that they end up costing quite a lot in terms of time and plot credibility. But the final unavoidable sequence, in which Richard Burton does what his career could never do after this and fights to stave off death, makes the film worth the cold chicken and warm beer I found waiting for me -- and if that isn't the mark of a gloriously average movie, what is?

Outstanding, chilling, direly underappreciated slow-burn

[I_Ailurophile · 10/10 · 27 September 2022]

At first blush this impresses as a little bit of a curiosity. It would seem to fit into the same loosely connected realm of horror and sci-fi as, say, Stephen King's 'Firestarter,' or Kiyoshi Kurosawa's 'Cure,' where the suggestion of death and destruction merely by force of will is the central conceit. What person hasn't had those intrusive thoughts, wishing they could enact something to happen just by thinking it? Still more curious is the narrative structure in which the character who bears the gift is meaningfully seen only in flashbacks, and we instead follow efforts to understand him secondhand; 'Citizen Kane' comes to mind to some degree. As if all this weren't enough, 'The Medusa touch' comes across as a very British production, as the chief figure in the story is a police inspector (from abroad, because of course), and a fair length of the picture is often filled with a certain wry humor like what one may expect of many similar programs on the BBC. In some measure, though, all these facets to first greet us are kind of red herrings, for as it goes on the movie becomes increasingly compelling, and rewarding as a viewer, and perhaps more so as it's decidedly quite unlike what one may commonly expect of genre fare. In fact, I've watched some breathtakingly great movies of late, and this is surely one of them.

Peculiar as the storytelling approach seems, it actually works incredibly well. One can easily imagine how telekinetic abilities might be portrayed in a more readily grabbing and visceral manner. Or rather, we don't need to imagine - 'Akira,' 'X-Men,' and a long list of action flicks have been made about people with extraordinary superpowers. Such bombast can be very fun and worthy of its own accord, but there's a big difference between the thrills provided by a highfalutin romp, and the thrills served up by a low-key, suspenseful mystery like this. The slow plotting of each story beat becomes all the more rich and absorbing; those flashes we see of violence, effects, or stunts are all the more impactful, especially at the jolting climax. The glimpses we get of John Morlar's psychology are all the more fascinating, adding a slight layer of psychological drama to the proceedings if not also psychological horror. And to that point: one could say the genre element is borne simply of the supernatural abilities denoted in the premise, and more so of the specific sparing events depicted for the camera, but one can't overlook the unfettered willingness to exercise such abilities (or perhaps the inability to control oneself?) that becomes distinctly disturbing. The result is a feature that takes its good time to warm up, but once it does, the effect is intensely, wonderfully searing.

And, why, all this is to say nothing of the excellence that 'The Medusa touch' represents in all other ways. Jack Gold's direction, Arthur Ibbetson's cinematography, Anne V. Coates and Ian Crafford's editing, and Michael J. Lewis' original music are all exceptional in and of themselves. Moreover, all lend tremendously to the vibrant, captivating suspense, and the earnestly horrifying airs about the course of events as they escalate. The production design and art direction are terrific, and the noted stunts and effects look fantastic. The cast all give solid performances, and every contribution from those working behind the scenes is splendid. Not least, it's worth spotlighting John Briley's outstanding (adapted) screenplay, for every aspect of the writing - narrative, scene writing, characters, dialogue - is vivid and engrossing, each very carefully considered and just as commendable as the next in making this feature the immensely satisfying experience that it is.

To be honest, when the movie first began I found myself wondering just what it was I had committed to. The early length of the picture carries itself in a way well removed from what I had anticipated, and the broad tone at first bears no resemblance to the stunning, gripping spectacle that all will become. That's just it, though: it almost feels like that contrast is intentional, lulling the audience into a false sense of comfort before twisting the proverbial knife. The steady, deliberate plot development takes us on a brilliant journey that starts very unremarkably (if not outright idiosyncratically) before ultimately turning into a fabulously striking, inescapably riveting, and genuinely chilling thrill ride. Whatever expectations I had before watching, and after I first pressed "play," were totally blown away. I can't believe that it was only by happenstance that I came upon this: 'The Medusa touch' is a superb, deeply underappreciated masterpiece of horror sci-fi, an underhanded slow-burn that deserves far, far more recognition. Wherever and however you're able to watch it, in my opinion this is simply a must-see, and earns my highest and most enthusiastic recommendation. Bravo!

Low Brow But Great Entertainment

[Theo Robertson · 7/10 · 11 January 2010]

This was promoted at the time as a star vehicle for Richard Burton who also appeared in THE WILD GEESE the same year . What wasn't promoted at the time was that the screenwriter was John Briley who would go on to Oscar winning success with the screenplay for GHANDI . Briley's structure follows that of a whodunnit . Novelist John Morlar is found battered nearly to death in his flat and French detective Brunel traces Morlar's life by talking to witnesses and realises bad things happen to people who cross Morlar

It's hardly Oscar winning stuff but as a piece of low brow entertainment it serves its function . What makes it such a morbid delight is that the audience can empathise with Morlar's telekinetic abilities and to be honest we'd all use them to get back against sadistic teachers , noisy neighbours and cheating lovers . Morlar only becomes a villain when he starts killing people he has no argument with like plane passengers and astronauts

There's also some wonderfully bitchy dialogue that Burton delivers in an appropriate dead pan style such as when Mrs Morlar introduces her fancy man to her husband , the fancy man being a renowned West End actor

" You might like to pour yourself a large drink "

" Why ? Is he going to perform for us ? "

The climax takes place at a cathedral where a large amount of VIPs are congregating and guess what happens next ? There's a high amount of amusement to be had watching a bunch of well dressed film extras being crushed to death by polystyrene boulders crashing down . In fact the scene with the bell ringers being bonged to death by bells caused me to collapse in tears of laughter

That scene sums up the whole movie . You'll feel slightly dirty watching it but you'll have almost two hours of undiluted entertainment even though you don't want to admit it

The Devil's Pawn

[thinker1691 · 10/10 · 30 December 2005]

The Medusa Touch is the fantastic story of a middle age English man tormented by the terrifying revelation, he is responsible for the the world's disasters. Richard Burton gives an impressive performance as writer John Morlar, who is brutally murdered and left for dead. Trouble is, his mind refuses to die. Convinced, from a young age, Morlar believes he has had the power to cause personal as well as world catastrophes. To prove his point, he snares a fully-loaded flying 747 jumbo jet and causes it to crash into a high rise apartment building, killing hundreds. The case is investigated by French Inspector Brunel (Supurbly played by Lino Ventura) who is convinced, Morlar's personal psychiatrist, Doctor Zonfeld (Lee Remick in one of her finest roles), is harboring a horrifying secret which eventually engulfs them both. The film is a masterpiece, combining the attributes of in your seat suspense and visual scenes which are further enhanced by a haunting musical score. With veteran actors like Harry Andrews, Alan Badel, Michael Hordern, and Derek Jacobi, the movie becomes a classic drama of unparalleled achievement. *****

Intriguing "horror" movie

[grantss · 7/10 · 28 November 2014]

Intriguing "horror" movie. Not exactly your average horror movie in that it involves the world of telekinesis. Also, it is as much a crime-mystery drama as a supernatural thriller.

Set up is very interesting. The subject matter is plausible, and the murder / attempted murder adds mystery. Also introduces a few interesting themes: use and abuse of special powers, vengeance / vigilantism, bitterness.

However, from a point it loses its intrigue and becomes reasonably mundane and predictable. The culprit was fairly obvious, so the whodunnit part gets drawn out too long. The movie becomes an action-thriller, a race-against-time. Ending is interesting but a pity the intrigue, mystery and menace could not be sustained throughout the movie.

Great performance by Richard Burton in the lead role. He has the perfect voice and gravitas for the role. Good support from Lino Ventura and Lee Remick.

Mostly underrated!

[man_with_a_van · 10/10 · 17 June 2019]

I saw this movie when I was a child. It gave me nightmares for a very long time. Especially the scene where the parents of the main character get killed haunted me for weeks. For a long time I didn't see the movie again and I forgot it. Then I met an old friend who told me about her nightmares she had as a child because she watched a certain movie. It has been the same film. So I searched for it and watched it again more than 30 years later. I have to say that I was stunned. This flick did really age very well. The music is outstanding. Burton's and Ventura's performances are brilliant. But even the whole make is fantastic for it's time. The flashbacks this movie is composed of are done terrifically and are masterly assembled. The narrative style is inventive and never gets boring. I think this movie has been ahead for it's time. For me a real classic!

An interesting film, thanks to the actors and the novelist

[JuguAbraham · 7/10 · 9 February 2018]

This is a film based on an interesting novel. Burton has lovely lines to deliver and he delivers them with gusto. But this film belongs to Lino Ventura (though his voice is dubbed) and the enigmatic, lovely Lee Remick. The supporting British cast is very good as well.

Out of touch with reality I'm afraid

[RJBurke1942 · 4/10 · 26 November 2007]

What a great actor to have in such an awful story...

The film and its production, however, is quite good, even though set in London but with exteriors in Bristol. No matter – see one cathedral, you've seen 'em all, sort of.

The story however...is about a man born with the power to wreak death and destruction upon anybody and anything, should he so wish. With just a passing reference to true life instances of telekinesis, the narrative builds a picture of a man misused and misjudged as a boy, a teenager and finally as a man; so much so, in fact, that he exacts vengeance at will, literally. Over time, he comes to the conclusion that the whole world is heading the wrong way and thus sets out to destroy the lot – just by thinking about it!

The trouble with the narrative, however, is that it tries to mix genuine scientific data about strange mental powers and merge it all with quasi-religious claptrap to produce a hodge-podge theory about it all. Mixing fact and fantasy in this fashion rarely works – and I'm afraid Richard Burton had to overact awfully on some occasions when trying to sound convincing. His very best scene, however, is when he gave his wife and her lover a verbal pasting as they left his home: sharp, witty and deadly dialog, delivered as only Burton could.

A good supporting cast helps to make things look and sound a lot better, though, beginning with Lino Ventura, whom I last saw in Garde A Vu (1981), as Inspector Brunel; Harry Andrews as Assistant Commissioner; the much under-rated Lee Remick as Dr Zonfeld; Derek Jacobi as a publisher, Towney, and a few other well known character actors.

I liked the way the story was presented, as flashback within flashback to fill in the back story and thus solve the immediate mystery of the attempted murder of Morlar (Richard Burton), the writer with the killer disposition. Up till that point, it was a good piece of visual detective work by Brunel and his English sidekick. Still, it was very predictable as it became quickly very obvious to me about the identity of the would-be murderer.

Then, they went and spoilt it all in the last fifteen minutes. If you want a clue about what that is, think Samson and Delilah (1949), from the illustrious Cecil B. de Mille, and how Samson got the bad guys in the end. And, the very last scene is just plain stupid. Why? Because there are at least a hundred ways that Morlar's rampaging could have been stopped, absolutely.

Shame, actually, because this could have been a lot better story and movie. I guess Burton really needed the money.

If you're Burton fan, then spend the time to see that scene I mentioned above. Otherwise, don't bother.