Product Details

• Actors: Blair Brown, Lynn Redgrave, David Carradine, Richard Kiley, David Ogden Stiers
• Directors: Paul Wendkos
• Format: NTSC, Color, Full Screen, Dolby, Digital Sound
• Language: English
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Warner Archive/Warner Brothers Television
• DVD Release Date: April 21, 2010
• Run Time: 96 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00391466Q
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,711 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "The Bad Seed" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Rachel Penmark is such a different little girl. So calm, so well-mannered, so deadly. The Bad Seed had been a novel, a Broadway play and a landmark 1956 movie before this film brought the harrowing story of a demented childs secret trail of violence to a new generation. Blair Brown (Fringe) heads a stellar cast as Rachels gentle mother Christine, who gradually discovers the truth about her psychopathic daughter and about the horrors of her own forgotten childhood. As Christine fits the puzzle pieces together, tension and menace build into a taut cocoon of overpowering dread. And, unlike the earlier movie, this production includes the original ending, a chilling denouement considered too shocking for 50s audiences.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chilling: Evil Comes in Many Disguises, May 24, 2011

By 

Meredith L. Burton "Bookworm" (Lynchburg, TN) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Bad Seed (DVD)

I admittedly had misgivings about buying this DVD, but those doubts were dispelled. "The Bad Seed" is a suspenseful, riveting story that explores the theme of evil and the dilemma of a mother torn between love and revulsion.

Christine Penmark is a typical mother who strives to raise her young daughter, Rachel, in an environment of love. Rachel is beautiful, sweet, and smart. However, her kind-seeming exterior masks a coldblooded heart. Christine discovers, to her horror, that her daughter is a ruthless psychopath.

Many people neglect this movie version in favor of the one starring Patty Maacormack and Nancy Kelly. Both versions are wonderful in their own ways. I appreciate this TVM version because the acting is not overly dramatic. Rachel is portrayed wonderfully by Carey Wells, a young girl whose soft voice is chilling as she threatens the character of Leroy, (m Lynne Redgrave is fantastic as the Penmark's landlady, Monica Breedlove, and Blair Brown brings warmth and heartbreaking empathy to the role of Christine. Give this gripping psychological thriller a chance. God bless you all.

(Please check out my fantasy novel, Crimilia, now available on this site. Thank you).

6 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If Your Like The Or, April 12, 2010

By 

E. Savoia "Fridayfan13th" (Woburn Ma USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Bad Seed (DVD)

I remember seeing this when it was first on in 1985 I think its better the the original(Dont get me wrong I love both versions and the book) for a few reasons.................


1 the cast was not limited to a stage setting
2 Overacting but I know thats the stae ways so its not the actors fault
3 While Noone can look as evil as Rhoda (Patty Mcormack) Rachel (Carrie Wells) was equaly chilling Espeaially when leroy said he had her shoes
4 I liked the fact that you saw Rachel go after the boy and that he had a part (a Cute Chad Allen) whos still cute
5 I also think it move more swiftly
6 David Carridine(leroy Jessup) and Lynne Redgrave(Monica Breedlove) gave great performaces as well as David Odgen Stires
7 Also Last But Not Leat the original ending was intacted Rachel Lives Mother Dies
8 Also loved seeing the old woman get pushed down the stairs by a Rachel that wanted a antique Xmas Ordament

So Give it a Try I promise You If you love the 1956 version you will like this also

1 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bad Seed, September 25, 2010

By 

sugarloaf - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Bad Seed (DVD)

This is the best dvd ever. I love the way Blair Brown acts in this movie. She really does a good job. Being so young and talented wow what a movie.