The Grand Illusion

Rock Hudson is a revelation in this sinister, science-fiction-inflected dispatch from the fractured 1960s. SECONDS, directed by John Frankenheimer, concerns a middle-aged banker who, dissatisfied with his suburban existence, elects to undergo a strange and elaborate procedure that will grant him a new life. Starting over in America, however, is not as easy as it sounds. This paranoiac symphony of canted camera angles (courtesy of famed cinematographer James Wong Howe), fragmented editing, and layered sound design is a remarkably risk-taking Hollywood film that ranks high on the list of its legendary director’s achievements.

Please note: This is the original US theatrical version from 1966, which is seven minutes shorter than the modern version widely available in digital formats. Despite the shorter runtime, we ultimately decided that seeing the movie projected via a rare 16mm print would make for a more unique viewing experience, and we believe this format serves to enhance Howe’s dreamlike black-and-white photography.

Co-presented by The Sprocket Society. Part of our Farewell to 1403 series.

“At its best, it is brilliant and combines sophisticated horror with intellectual excitement and all kinds of speculations about the American cult of success and pursuit of happiness.” Alexander Walker, London Evening Standard

“John Frankenheimer’s Seconds will linger a lot longer than the title suggests in the mind of anyone who chooses to watch it. In fact, it might be one of the most haunting American films to come out of the 1960s, or any decade for that matter.” Wael Khairy, RogerEbert.com