The Haunting of Julia (1977) – Episode 140 – Decades of Horror 1970s

“Dead? Not dead. Look at me. Look at me! I am the one who is dead. All safe and dead. All safe and dead.” You certainly wouldn’t have to worry about being killed if that’s what you mean by being safe. Join your faithful Grue Crew - Doc Rotten, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr, along with guest host Daphne Monary-Ernsdorff from the Classic Era - as they check out The Haunting of Julia (1977), starring Mia Farrow, Tom Conti, and Keir Dullea.

Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 140 – The Haunting of Julia (1977)

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After her daughter's death, wealthy American homemaker Julia Lofting moves to London to restart her life. All seems well until she is haunted by the ghosts of other children while mourning for her own.

IMDb

 

• Director: Richard Loncraine
• Writers: Dave Humphries (screenplay), Harry Bromley Davenport (story adaption), Peter Straub (from his novel Julia,1975) 
• Music: Colin Towns
• Cast
  • Mia Farrow as Julia Lofting
  • Keir Dullea as Magnus Lofting
  • Tom Conti as Mark Berkeley
  • Jill Bennett as Lily Lofting
  • Robin Gammell as David Swift
  • Cathleen Nesbitt as Heather Rudge
  • Anna Wing as Rosa Fludd
  • Edward Hardwicke as Captain Paul Winter
  • Mary Morris as Greta Braden
  • Pauline Jameson as Claudia Branscombe
  • Arthur Howard as Piggott
  • Peter Sallis as Jeffrey Branscombe
  • Damaris Hayman as Miss Pinner
  • Sophie Ward as Kate Lofting

The Haunting of Julia, aka Full Circle, is Jeff’s pick and he loves the gothic atmosphere and the surreal feel to the film. Bill identifies The Haunting of Julia as a slow burn, superficially reminiscent of Don’t Look Now (1973), with evidence of a cult following on the internet. Daphne got sucked into the “is-it-or-isn’t-it-supernatural” nature of the story, appreciates the dark place it goes, and loves Mia Farrow’s performance. Mrs. Fludd, the quirky seance conductor, is one of Chad’s favorite characters, and though he agrees The Haunting of Julia is a bit slow, he also thinks the last 15-20 minutes are well worth the wait. 

Though your Classic Era Grue-Crew is divided regarding some aspects of the film, they agree that Mia Farrow’s performance and the last act are the best parts of The Haunting of Julia, currently streaming VOD.

Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror 1970s is part of the Decades of Horror two-week rotation with The Classic Era and the 1980s. In two weeks, the next episode in their very flexible schedule will be The Boys from Brazil (1978), chosen by Bill! Be sure to join us for that one. 

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