User reviews

I saw this movie upon the persistent recommendations of my lady co-employees thinking and hoping that there may be sense after all in their insistence. But of course, knowing them I expected this to be another chick movie, a maudlin love story.

To my surprise, it had a lot of suspense and I also appreciated the fact that it captured the ambience of the European countries that served as locales.

It did well in the Philippines. I saw it with a standing room crowd and it took me a while to grab a seat. But I doubt if it was well received in the US.

If this were to have been done twenty years later with a modern sensibility, gullible stars, a more lethal editor, and a spot more atmosphere, it could well have ended up as a hit. The budget was obviously good, and the photography is mostly excellent despite its too-frequent descent into seventies syrup. The lighting (and look) tends to be pretty uniform - for example, Wartime Paris was apparently a beautifully colorful time, and the mood gay and sumptuous, but then so is everything else, right down to the fitted carpet. The debt owed to the black and white classics is apparent, but there is something very unconvincing about using the old styles of movie-making with full-on glossy, TV color. A shame they didn't go all the way, and let the hammers fly -for heavens' sake give me some deep shadow when the lights are on. All in all, the zoom lens is over-active, the script underwhelming, and the score dreary. The performances, however, are lively and committed and the styling and costumes sometimes inspired. "Entraptured" as I was, I couldn't help feeling I was watching a Judith Krantz novel....oh, that's right - it's Sidney Sheldon! Compelling nonetheless...

... but not as good as it wants to be. This sprawling drama plays out over a span of decades as it follows a pretty young Parisienne who is seduced and abandoned by an American flier, and who then marries into society with the non-specific purpose of either getting him back or getting back at him. Meanwhile the flier gets married and goes through various crises of his own. The production values are expensive and look good, but the script moves with languorous slowness and, despite some fashionable 70s-style sexual frankness, everything has an old-style Hollywood feel to it, as if the movie had been made 20 years earlier than it was. John Beck and Susan Sarandon in particular seem to have been time warped back to a Ross Hunter melodrama such as Back Street, making their performances seem out of date for the more naturalistic 1970s cinema. Marie- France Pisier emerges as the best thing in the movie, but it's a pretty dull affair otherwise, especially when she is not on screen. Sarandon's career survived this bomb, thanks to Atlantic City a few years later, but John Beck, who was supposed to vault to stardom after this, quickly found himself in the hell of TV guest star shots.

...that a film with copious amounts of nudity can be as dry as dirt. It looks like a handsome production replete with a Michel Legrand musical score and Oscar nominated costumes from Irene Sharaff. But the leads, Marie-France Pisier and John Beck, register zero on the charisma scale. It is hard to care about anything related to them. And the lamentable thing drags on for 166 minutes.

The one saving grace is Susan Sarandon, who, even in a bad film in a sadly supporting role, still has that certain zest and spark of a true star about her, even though her palmy days would not completely arrive for another decade or so. But the rest of the film is apathetic and completely bored me.

What a success this film was in Australia in 1977.... it ran for months gathering momentum among shop assistants and daytime single women ticket-buyers as a much whispered about 'must see'. well for us fellers, it was a bit raunchy showing off Gallic nubile sexiness among the ruins of Paris in WW2. I guess it also caused the rise of the miniseries movie potboiler drama that paved the way for THE BETSY, THE Greek TYCOON and many other 2hr plus glossy romantic efforts.... most long forgotten. TV really corralled this type of book/drama on film with DYNASTY and KNOTTS LANDING etc. I am surprised that is was considered a flop in the USA when a big hit elsewhere. My main memory is from a suburban cinema in Sydney....400 person sized crowd of couples.... then shocked silence during a bathtub abortion scene... followed immediately by (only) one huge athletic man staggering from his seat in a state of distress, dizzy from what he had seen, lumbering Frankenstein monster-style across the aisle, and ploughed headfirst through the plaster wall on the stairway to the foyer. The building shook and we ran to see what happened. There he was, head first through the wall, slumped in collapse, with frantic audience members trying to pull him, legs first, from the hole. He woke up and started crying: "Awww I didn't like that" he sobbed. We had to stop the projector, tell everyone that he was alright and re wound the film. "Aww don't show that bit again" he protested, so we didn't, we re started from just after. With a mug of tea and his tears wiped up, we re sat him with his cringing date and the movie rolled on....and on and on. Just so you know...FROM NOON TILL THREE is a funny (!) Charles Bronson western with Jill Ireland.. equally as enjoyable 70s. No bathtub abortions but a good train smash.

During the summer of '77, I didn't get to see as many movies as I had been used to seeing the past three years. The only other movie I saw that summer was "Star Wars."

So here I am, 17 years old, and I go to this with my Grandmother and an aunt, cause, lets face it, this is what is a classic 'chick flick'. I dislike that expression cause it makes it seem like you have to be a woman to gain any enjoyment, and the only movie I'd personally attach that label to is "Thelma and Louise." Just cause the main character of a movie is a woman does not mean its not about a human being who is completely unbelievable.

Anywho, I saw this again last week, and it may as well be 900 years old. They don't make trash like this anymore, but maybe that's because they don't write trash novels anymore. Gone are Harold Robbins, Jackie Susann and the author of this, Sidney Sheldon. We have Jackie Collins, but her stuff ends up on television (I think). Why has the world given up on the trash novel, the one you read on the beach or on a plane?

This has it all, like the master checklist..epic length, betrayal, a lot of over- and under-acting, revenge, nudity, sex, self-abortion, international settings, a trial, an actress, a firing squad, a bitch, a virgin, a colorless leading man and even a surprise ending. 8/10.

It's the time to breathe… to fall in love… to feel the heartbeat of every living moment of every endless day… It's a very romantic time… It's a time for dreams and heartbreak and hope… A time when fantasies can come true…

In Paris, the enchanting Noelle—young and vulnerable—lives out her fantasies at the jagged edges of her broken dreams dazzled by its glamor… In Washington, the beautiful Cathy—taken by surprise with her own success—is unaware of its price… Larry—loved by both women— is a sly liar… Constantine Demeris has the power that extends beyond wealth, the power that knows the price of every woman's heart and every man's soul…

Sidney Sheldon's story has all the suspense, the intrigue, and the emotions that explode when fantasy collides with destiny… His four unforgettable people live the romance, the passion, the betrayal, the hate and revenge against the midst of WWII, in Three countries: France, United States and Greece

Like the previous commenter Jenny, I saw this movie when it first came out, and I too could not stop thinking about it! I saw it in this really nice theater in downtown Seattle (can't remember the name.. I think it has since been closed down and turned into something more steel and glass-like. Oh well, the memories linger...)

I have not seen this movie since I saw it in 1977, but I remember I saw it mere months before heading off to serve in the US military, and the images from this film somehow remained in my young mind throughout the time I was in the service, and beyond.

I still vividly remember the "prostitution" scene, and I still remember the flying scenes - as a fan of all things aviation-related, the movie is worth seeing just for the flight scenes alone.

I can remember going out on a few dates with girls back then, and talking glowingly about this fabulous movie. They thought I was a passionate, dreamy-eyed romantic or something. Must've had them fooled, I guess.

But if you want to see a good movie that's a bit of a potboiler paperback novel come to life, then this one's for you. I myself will be looking for a copy of this film in my local video store shortly.

Young, innocent, and gullible, Marie-France Pisier falls for a hotshot flyboy, John Beck, at the start of WWII. He takes advantage of her love and promises to marry her when the war is over, but of course he never contacts her again. Marie-France vows to get revenge and make him regret he ever done-her-wrong - but she certainly takes her time! As the saying goes, "Revenge is a dish best served cold."

At the time, The Other Side of Midnight was a pretty naughty movie. Marie-France uses sex to get ahead, so I'd put the kids to bed before watching the famous "ice cubes" scene. Also, there's an upsetting abortion Marie-France has to endure - but back in the 1940s, there was no birth control pill. What did she think would happen? This is definitely a soapy, heavy drama, so if you like those kinds of movies, invite a bunch of your girlfriends over and pop some champagne. Be sure and keep it "on ice"!

Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to sexual and adult content, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.

Can any one tell me the link between this film and JFK and Jacquie Kennedy and what happened before he got married is there some thing or not?? Please help I've watched this film twice and I do feel that the director was trying to tell us some thing else in the film is this film a work of fiction or more of a biography of events that happened to some one ( friend or some one in a position of power ) and the story could not be told out right ?? I feel the case could be made as he was in the Air Force and she was Greek And had money her self and he was also a bit of a Fe lander was this a marriage of Love or of revenge may be a woman scorned and obsessed by power behind every good man is a strong woman

Producer Frank Yablans and 20th Century Fox spent some serious cash on "The Other Side of Midnight" filming scenes on location in Paris, Washington, DC and Greece. It certainly looks good on screen. The lush musical score by Michel Legrand made the movie sound more important than it really is. (When is a Legrand musical score not lush?) But the plodding epic WWII romantic story about two women who are in love with the same pilot, adapted from the best selling Sidney Sheldon novel, should not be taken too seriously. The movie is so soapy, I'm surprised Procter & Gamble did not co-produce the movie.

Marie-France Pisier tries her best to flesh out (pun intended) her character of Noelle, using her body to get to the top. But the scenes with Sorrell Booke as a businessman who bought Noelle from her father, Christian Marquand as a filmmaker and Raf Vallone as a Greek tycoon, were rather embarrassing and I did not feel any sympathy toward her character. John Beck fared even worse as a very uncharismatic, two-timing cad.

It is interesting that after "Midnight", Pisier (who I remember from a much better movie from two years earlier, Cousin, Cousine) went back to appearing in movies in her native France and Beck continued to appear in soaps, this time on television.

Somehow, I thought Susan Sarandon fared best because she was the best actor of the three leads. I felt more sympathy for her character Catherine than Noelle. And what has happened to Sarandon after this trash-fest? Can someone say a thinking man's sex symbol? (Oscar-winning performance as Sr. Helen Prejean in "Dead Man Walking" notwithstanding.)

Why a 5 out of 10 instead of a 1 or 2? I remember reading many negative reviews when it was first released in 1977. However, unlike what was reported in the IMDb Trivia section, the movie did have a long run in theaters and was a moderate success at the box office. Even though I was very leery of the film's 2 hour, 45 minute length, I caught the movie on cable TV. This movie is like a trashy summer novel, I could not put this movie down. Without giving the ending away, the plot twists almost made the film worth my time. Having seen the movie several times in the past few years, The Other Side of Midnight is a bad movie but I plead guilty to admit that it is so bad, it's good.

Update (5/10/2007): I tried to re-watch this movie and ended up fast forwarding through the boring parts. I guess my original review was rather generous.

If you cut down the "getting to know you" musical montage scenes, the transition scenes where people are walking from one beautiful scene to another and delete the gratuitous nude scenes, it might have been better. The movie is also filled with script exposition and not enough actual scenes that might have made the movie more interesting. The scenes between Pisier and Michael Lerner, who plays an investigator trailing John Beck's character, are especially deadly.

Sarandon's performance still holds up. She exudes more depth to her character than the script allows.

I sense that the movie was made by some dirty old men whose idea for a "chick flick" was to see the main female characters naked. A naked male lead? Not a chance.

John Beck is so sexy in this film. Susan and Marie were adorable. Love the Sidney Sheldon twists and turns (Master of the Game is a favorite of mine too). Hauntingly beautiful soundtrack-the best ever! The soundtrack definitely adds so much to the passion of this film. And what a change for Susan after the Rocky Horror Picture show. I have seen The Other Side of Midnight 14 times and it gets better every time.I thinkthis is a masterpiece (and yes there are some very trite lines)however, its a beautiful love story and reminiscent of the 1970's and the way we all were back then. I don't feel that all films have to be so intellectually stimulating that the critics will like them. This was so much better than Star Wars to me. I adore this film. Love it Love it! You got my vote! Wonderful forever!

Composer Michel Legrand wrote over 200 film scores and this is one of his very best...such a pity it was wasted on a rather tawdry story. Never seemingly issued on CD either and the movie itself has never, as far as I'm aware, been shown on TV in the UK. Marie-France Pisier was an actress (sic) whom I had not previously encountered and I would like to see more of her...work. The melodramatic nature of this movie reminds me of Portrait In Black (1956?) starring Anthony Quinn and Lana Turner, both giving over the top performances, which I saw as a kid...the fact that I still remember it shows what an impression it made on me. Never shown on UK TV either.

If you are looking for a good, fun melodrama, certain titles come to mind (Peyton Place, Dark Victory); but if you want to laugh in a very superior way at the blunders of others, this is certainly as good a place to start as any. The Other Side of Midnight has it all: horrible dialogue (bonus points for breathless delivery!); flat, miniseries-inspired direction; ugly cinematography; a hideous music score; and valiant bad acting. This is a juicy slab o' cheese, slightly aged for maximum odor. The one-two-three outrageousness of the plotting kept cracking me up (motives are ridiculously basic, and methods of achieving goal are hilariously protracted), and "surprise" ending--please, you can see it coming from veritable MILES away--just leaves you gasping with laughter. I rated this a "1" as a regular movie, but on the camp scale, it comes pretty close to "10"--rent it by all means!

I read the book "The Other Side of Midnight" when it first came out and fell in love with Noelle and Catherine. When the movie came out I saw it twice at the theater and loved it. 20th century fox back-stabbed this movie by not marketing it that is why it did poorly at the box office. In reality this is an old style, glossy, sweeping love story set between the years 1939 and 1947.

I won't go into the plot other than to say it has it all. Love, hate, betrayal, glamor, drama, on location shooting all over the world (this was not a low budget film). I highly recommend this film to anyone who enjoys sweeping dramas, wonderful score and cinematography and a young Susan Sarandon already showing her big star chops. It is a long movie 2 hours and 45 minutes on DVD but it has been remastered the picture is perfect and the sound is as good as can be expected from a film made in 1977.

A beautiful women recounts the events that lead to her being in jail. It shows how she learned to use her gorgeous face and rack to make it in the fashion and movie world (at the instigation of her father!). This leads to various liaisons with powerful men that can further her career and some with the man she loves. Except for a semi-surprise ending it is pretty much by the numbers. This movie is known for some classic and disturbing nude scenes.

I saw this film when it first came out and it has stuck in my head since. I have never seen it on tv or in a video store, although I am sure it must have been on and I just missed it. The scenery is great. Marie France Pisier is absolutely gorgeous. John Beck plays a total bast*rd, very convincingly. I have never been a great fan of Susan Sarandon. Her role could have been played better by someone else. If this were remade today, maybe Gwyneth Paltrow? The abortion in the bathtub scene was so over the top at that time. The wardrobe is elegant and totally fabulous. However in one scene, Marie-France Pisier is decending a fabulous staircase, decked out in a very glamourous brown and earthtone pants outfit. Why is she wearing the same black, torn up platform shoes she wore in her earlier scenes when she was a struggling model?

Curl up on the sofa and break out the Kleenex.