Customer Reviews

The Reincarnation of Peter Proud [VHS]

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I saw this film in the mid-seventies at a West Chester University campus film event. I was impressed immediately with the subject matter (Reincarnation) and spent the time riveted to my seat until it was over. As others have stated, you will not forget it once you see it. The reason that it has such power is that it focuses on what all of us would like to do, and that is discover who we were before! The film is about a man who consistently has dreams about living a previous life in the recent past. He discovers that his dreams have a basis in reality when he recognizes the town of his dreams presented in a documentary on television. A search begins and Peter Proud tracks down all the dream clues, discovers his previous identity, and the film builds in excitement as we know that he was a murder victim in the previous life. Eventually he locates his old home and finds out that his family is still around. He uses a clever way to introduce himself to his old family and several strange psychic-like feelings and habits of saying things, tapping on glasses, etc. begin to arouse the suspicion of the former wife that her husband has come back to haunt her due to her guilt or that Dr. Proud is up to some bid for blackmail because of what he knows. In an amazing scene, his ancestral mother in a nursing home spiritually recognizes her son in the embodiment of Peter Proud and the daughter chalks it up to dementia. Proud becomes romantically involved with his daughter and drives the former wife to re-commit the actions of murder again in the spirit of Deja Vu in a great climax to the film. The most interesting aspects of this film are Springfield Mass. scenery, a 1937 Cord convertible with hide-away headlights, the amount of women sexually involved with the character and the overall angles in the filming that promote the mysterious aspects of this work. A charming work from the 70's and though dated it still draws you into the plot.

A pretty difficult movie to come by, Reincarnation of Peter Proud is a gem of a movie. Having first seen it during its initial release in the early '70s, I had not seen it for 25 years. Upon tracking it down, and outbidding some other eager fans of the flick, I anxiously awaited its delivery. It did not disappoint. It had that weird aura about it which complemented the subject matter of the film: Reincarnation, obviously. The cinematography, musical score, and quality acting set this film apart and make it worth owning. It definitely captures a very unique style which you don't ordinarily see with today's films. If you like movies that will make you think about them long after you've seen them, then Reincarnation of Peter Proud is a good choice. Stars a pre-Superman Margot Kidder.

This is a great, original movie from the early 70's and I think we've waited long enough into the DVD era thats it's time for us to see this one released on DVD.

Really interesting movie. Why can't they make movies like this anymore? I remember seeing it and being totally engrossed. I would love to see it again but if it doesn't come out on DVD I'm not sure I will. How do we get Amazon to help us release this on DVD?

I recently received this film as a gift. I must say that being a lifelong resident of Western Mass, made this film especially interesting for me. The acting and plot are simply okay by today's standards; however, I'm also a Jennifer O'Neil fan, so it did keep my interest. I am writing this review to help those who are interested in locating landmarks in the film. The beauty of this film, unlike so many others, is that when they filmed it, they didn't simply film the exteriors on location and film the interiors back on some soundstage in Hollywood. They actually filmed the interiors from within the actual buildings themselves. One example is the lobby of Baystate West (now Tower Square), in Spfld., where Peter asks "if there are any rooms available" and gets advice on where to locate "Crystal Lake" (a fictional lake). A large portion of the film was shot in Springfield, Longmeadow and Holyoke. There were also some shots filmed in Amherst, MA and Deerfield, MA as well. Matter of fact, the scene of them enterring the lobby of a hotel (where Peter experiences back pain), was filmed at the Lord Jeffrey Inn in Amherst. It is an establishment that is still there today and the granfather clock in the scene can still be found in the lobby at the inn. If you visit the Lord Jeff, be sure to have dinner. They have a spectacular menu. The house Peter finds (it actually turns out to be his boyhood residence), is located in the McNight section of Springfield, MA on Cornell Street, off of St. James Ave. The intersection that he is stopped at before he rounds the corner and parks his car to get out and talk to the girl washing the red Volks Waggon is Wellesley Street and Cornell Street. That view from that corner is unchanged, although some of the homes are different colors today. Other locations filmed were the approaches to the Mass Turnpike in West Springfield, MA (at I-91). You will also see signs for Ingleside (a section of Holyoke, MA), which is now the location of the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside (exit 15 off I-91). You will also see them venture into Deerfield off of I-91. They have lunch at the Deerfield Inn (this is the point where Peter explains there is no time to go to Plymouth Rock, etc.). The scene where Peter and his girlfriend pull up to a lot behind Baystate West (when she exclaims she wants to be taken to the airport and return home), is a parking lot today. The Hamden Savings Bank Bulding is still there; however the tower of the city hall/symphony hall building can no longer be seen from that vantage point due to modern buildings obstructing the view. The Yankee Peddlar Inn in Holyoke is also still there (Rt. 5 Holyoke). The view of the mills along the canal in Holyoke when Peter and his girlfriend drive by is unchanged. The "Puritain Statue" is located at The Springfield Library and Museums (Quadrangle) on State Street in Springfield. The statue is actually of Deacon Samual Chapin, a founder of Springfield MA. The country club in Longmeadow is still there too. As you can tell, I loved the movie because it literally is "close to home" with me. I hope you enjoy it too.

I saw a watered down version of Peter Proud when it was released in India in 1976. Years later, I saw a pristine print on VHS. What an incredible film this is. Brilliantly directed by veteran J.Lee Thompson, this film sends shock waves down everyone's spine probably even today. Yes,it is high time that is released on DVD/ Casting is perfect. Michael Sarrazin & Jennifer O'Neal are excellent. Margot Kidder as the cold killer is frighteningly evil!Outstanding score by Jerry Goldsmith enhances the rather eerie proceedings. Screenplay is perfect making this film almost flawless.

I've loved this movie for a long time. Michael Sarrazin, Jennifer O'Neill and Margot Kidder are perfect in it. Sarrazin is terrific as Peter Proud, a college professor who is obsessed with the idea that he may have been reincarnated and lived another life in the past. His pursuit of the truth lead him into an involvement with the wife and daughter of his former self. Fascinating, well-acted, great musical score with creepy scenes involving Kidder (who plays a her character at both 24 and 50ish effectively) thrown in. O'Neill is charming as the daughter Proud tries to resist becoming involved with. Great chemistry between her and Sarrazin. Well-worth owning.

I saw this movie when it first came out and have wanted to see it again for 25yrs! It still holds the power it did back then. The flashes of another life and the search for the unknown part of life that is destiny. This film is a classic that has only been outdone in the psychological/thriller reincarnation genre by "The Seventh Sign". Timeless and facinating.

I saw this movie when it first came out. I went to see it again and again. For some reason i couldn't get enough of this film. I believe it was a combination of the haunting musical score which i was never able to get out of my head, or the great acting, story line or my interest in reincarnation. This movie is a masterpiece and a treasure. I was able to buy a copy of this film about ten years ago. It wasn't a good copy the audio was low and the picture very blurry. I bought it from Columbia House. If i didn't know better i would have though it was a boot-leg copy. Never the less, i'm still glad i have this and wouldn't part with it for anything unless of course it was transferred to DVD.

I viewed this movie over 25 yrs ago. I never forgot it. It seemed to have a where and when and how was this possible effect. The movie keeps your attention throughout and after it's over you wonder about all the possibilities of how anything like this could ever be and the depth of the imagination of the writer and the director. Now, when I view a 70's movie, I find that many were corny and predictable. Perhaps this is one of the reasons this film sets itself apart. I have not seen anything else during this time in regards to time travel other than the series travel in time and since Somewhere in Time and Well's Time Travel. All of these movies had intriguing appeal...perhaps because there were so few movies that had time travel with depth appeal. Hundreds of war movies have been made, many science fiction thrillers, but not much in time travel. When these movies come out with Good Actors, good directing, and lots of imagination/depth, they leave the viewer wondering all the possibilities of time travel. I'd really like to see this movie come out on DVD. Time travel movies are great to watch over and over again. I love my "Somewhere in Time" movie with Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour. These movies just keep you thinking about them.