THE RANK ORGANISATION
Presents
A UNICAPITAL PRODUCTION
I DON'T WANT TO BE BORN!
Starring
JOAN COLLINS as Lucy Carlesi
RALPH BATES as Gino Carlesi
EILEEN ATKINS as Sister Albana
DONALD PLEASENCE as DR Finch
CAROLINE MUNRO as Mandy Gregory
HILARY MASON as MRS Hyde
JOHN STEINER as Tommy Morris
JANET KEY as Jill Fletcher
GEORGE CLAYDON as Hercules
JUDY BUXTON as Sheila
FLOELLA BENJAMIN as 1st Nurse
STANLEY LEBOR as Police Sergeant
SUSAN RICHARDS as Old Lady
Executive Producer - Nato De Angelis Art Director - Roy Stannard
Assistant Director - David Bracknell Music by Ron Granier
Director of Photography - Kenneth Talbot
Screenplay by Stanley Price
From an Original Story by Nato De Angeles
Edited by Keith Palmer Produced by Norma Corney
Directed by Peter Sasdy
AKA : "The Devil Within Her" "The Monster" ..
(c) 1975 RANK 90 MINS COLOR
The arrival of their new baby son, should have been a joyous occasion for Lucy and Gino Carlesi. But their joy turns to fear, as their new baby shows disturbing signs of unease and violence! It soon becomes apparent that demonic forces are at work and no one is safe from the tiny terror! When the nanny dies in mysterious circumstances, then Gino disappears, along with the family doctor, Lucy must face the terror alone! Only then, does she realise that she has had The Devil Within Her! As she draws her last breath, her baby screams mummy! I Don't Want To Be Born!!
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| Joan and Raplh Bates on set |
This popular shocker, first began life as a screenplay entitled "The Baby", but it was completely rewritten as "I Don't Want To Be Born!". Although filmed in London at Pinewood and on location in Chelsea, plus a house in Kensington, the fim was financed by Italian and Canadian backers. However well into production, the money ran out and Rank had to put up the remainder of the funds to complete the film.
Director Peter Sasdy recalls.....
"The Italian producers wanted a star name and we got Joan, who had made a return to the screen after a distinguished career in British films. I was delighted that she did, she was and still is, such a professional person. Always first on the set, none of what I call Prima Donna behaviour, which people would like me to say that she was!"
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| Joan with Donald Pleasence |
At the time of the film's release, Joan commented to the American International press office..
" I certainly wouldn't want to be labeled a 'Queen of Horror', but I thoroughly enjoyed making the film.The terrifying thing about it, is the developing implications that the child is somehow connected with several murders! But I would rather be in a fantasy orientated horror film, than a movie depicting brutal violence and sex! Parts for women these days, fall into definite categories. The harassed heroine or The sexy bird look!"
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| Joan with John Steiner |
The film did good business at the UK box office and in the USA, where it was re-titled "The Devil Within Her" and released by American International. But as expected the reviews were mixed.
ROGER EBER ...
''When it comes to trashy horror exploitation, the British are about the best and more often than not, Donald Pleasence is one of the reasons! He plays gravediggers, mad scientists and humble retired soldiers with penchants for voodoo. He always seems faintly bemused by the terror he causes! The odd thing about this film is, it has no ambition to be good, but neither does it have the knack of being interestingly bad. Joan Collins does her best to look smashing in every scene, (she even wears a bloody scratch, with a certain chic!), but Pleasence never gets to cut loose with his vengeance is mine, shtick and the baby doesen't even grow hair on its face!"
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| Joan with Caroline Munro |
But strangely enough a good review came from...
VARIETY....
"This is an exceedingly stylish thriller, about a satanically possessed infant. Joan Collins stars and looks, and acts splendidly as the begrieved mother. Director Peter Sasdy, whose pacing is near flawless, works as much below the surface as above it, with great effect."
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| Joan with Ralph Bates |
The film has been a staple of the video scene for many years, having been re-released under many awful titles such as "It's Growing Inside Her" and "Sharon's Baby". Considering the baby is born during the titles and there are no characters called Sharon in the film, these titles are meaningless! The film was re-released by Rank in the early 80's with the title "The Monster", but under any title the film has an excellent cast of British stars and in the context of the horror genre, it is certainly worth a look!
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| Original video release from the 80's |
You can order the UK release of the film from Network at the following link!
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