FILM

Rosemary’s Baby. Roman Polanski made his Hollywood debut with this 1968 screen version of Ira Levin’s horror novel about an innocent young couple (Mia Farrow and John Cassavetes) who fall victim to a coven of devil-worshippers led by their nosy neighbor (Ruth Gordon). The book, though cleverly conceived, is devoid of literary distinction, but Polanski, who also wrote the screenplay, succeeded in transforming Levin’s shabby little shocker (thank you, Joe Kerman) into a film of great tautness and elegance–without deviating so much as a millimeter from Levin’s ingenious plot. Marvelous supporting performances by Ralph Bellamy, Elisha Cook, and the gorgeously well-spoken Maurice Evans. Kudos to the Criterion Collection for recognizing its lasting excellence with a newly remastered, carefully restored DVD edition (TT).