Review of The Medusa Touch

"The Medusa Touch" is a well-kept secret that more people need to discover. I have watched this film more times than I can count, and I notice something new every time; the last time got me thinking about the subtle difference between wanting something to happen and making it happen. It starts as a whodunit, develops into a supernatural thriller, and climaxes as a disaster film. The whodunit has a powerful resolution, the supernatural element is introduced through a seamless flashback-within-flashback structure which guides the viewer step-by-step from the realistic to the mind-expanding, the disaster aspect works thanks to some still-impressive special effects. There are lots of memorable scenes here, from the death of Morlar's parents to his visit to a psychic who gets so terrified by what he senses that he can't even look at him. The film is perfectly cast: Richard Burton with his commanding voice and piercing eyes, the classy, beautiful, intelligent Lee Remick, the instantly likable Lino Ventura. The "Omen"-like chilling music score is the icing on the cake. ***1/2 out of 4.