Lilith (1964)

66% of users liked it
(658 ratings)

Vincent Bruce (Warren Beatty) is a Korean War veteran who becomes an occupational therapist in a private mental hospital that cares for wealthy, schizophrenic clientele. He slowly begins to fall for Lilith Arthur (Jean Seberg), a patient who is mentally locked in her own little world. Vincent… More Vincent Bruce (Warren Beatty) is a Korean War veteran who becomes an occupational therapist in a private mental hospital that cares for wealthy, schizophrenic clientele. He slowly begins to fall for Lilith Arthur (Jean Seberg), a patient who is mentally locked in her own little world. Vincent eventually begins his own psychological disintegration over his feelings for the woman and asks for help. Watch for early career performances from Olympia Dukakis and Gene Hackman in this depressing psychodrama. This was the final film from the gifted director Robert Rossen, who died in 1966. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 54 min.
Directed By: Robert Rossen
Written By: Robert Rossen, J.R. Salamanca
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Sep 27, 1964 Wide
On DVD: Aug 24, 2004

Critic Reviews

Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
The awkwardness of a macho auteur attempting feminized poetry lends the work the nervousness necessary for authentic lyricism
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Much misunderstood and a commercial flop in 1964, Lilith is well acted by Warren Beatty and one of the first American films to deal with mental illness and the fine line between therapists and patients while using the stylistics of the French New Wave.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Brilliant and delicate, but also depressing and enigmatic psychodrama.

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Michael G

Is it ironic that a movie that takes place in a mental institution could make you feel like you're going nuts right after you finish watching it? Robert Rossen's direction really fits the bill here and compliments a fantastic cast. Lilith is full of little unexplained… More
Is it ironic that a movie that takes place in a mental institution could make you feel like you're going nuts right after you finish watching it? Robert Rossen's direction really fits the bill here and compliments a fantastic cast. Lilith is full of little unexplained moments that leave you inching toward that isolated wing of the nut house, but despite her supposed spell over everyone, Jean Seberg (and her wig) just mostly annoyed me. The Gene Hackman scene was great and I saw Peter Fonda's resolution a mile away but the last 15 minutes kind of took a bit of the experience away for (or from) me. Extra points for Kim Hunter. I have no idea why but she was kind of foxy in this movie.

Cast

            Warren Beatty as Vincent Bruce

            Jean Seberg as Lilith Arthur

            Peter Fonda as Stephen Evshevsky

            Kim Hunter as Bea Brice

            Jessica Walter as Laura

            Anne Meacham as Mrs. Yvonne Mearrat

            James Patterson as Dr. Lavrier

            Gene Hackman as Norman

            Robert Reilly as Bob Clayfield

            Rene Auberjonois as Howie

            Lucy Smith as Vincent's Grandmother

            Maurice Brenner as Mr. Gordon

            Jeanne Barr as Miss Glassman

            Richard Higgs as Mr. Palakis

            Ruth Baker
            
            Ben Carruthers as Benito

            Olympia Dukakis
            
            Edith Fellows
            
            Harvey Jason
            
            Elizabeth Lawrence
            
            Robert  Miller
            
            Harry Northrup
            
            Tina Rome
            
            Alice Spivak as Lonely Girl

            Charles Tyner
            
            Gwen Van Dam
            
            Kathleen Phelan as Lonely Girl's Mother

            Bruce Powers
            
            Gordon Phillips
            
            Robert Dahdah
            
            Cynthia McAdams
            
            Sonia Zomina
            
See full cast

Lilith (1964)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Michael G

Cast