In 1831, Irishman Charles Adare travels to Australia to start a new life with the help of his cousin who has just been appointed governor. When he arrives he meets powerful landowner and ex-convict, Sam Flusky, who wants to do a business deal with him. Whilst attending a dinner party at Flusky's house, Charles meets Flusky's wife Henrietta who he had known as a child back in Ireland. Henrietta is an alcoholic and seems to be on the verge of madness.
Shot in astonishingly elaborate long takes, this is the kind of film that finds the most brilliant poetry in the slightest movement of the camera -- a paradigm of cinematic expression.
– Dave Kehr,
Chicago Reader,
1 Jan 2000
rotten:
It seems that neither Miss Bergman nor Mr. Hitchcock has tangled here with stuff of any better than penny-dreadful substance and superfical demands.
– Bosley Crowther,
New York Times,
25 Mar 2006
fresh:
A strangely unexciting but emotionally intriguing Hitchcock costume drama with echoes of Rebecca and Suspicion.
– Geoff Andrew,
Time Out,
24 Jun 2006
rotten:
Under Capricorn is overlong and talky, with scant measure of the Alfred Hitchcock thriller tricks.
– Variety Staff,
Variety,
22 Jul 2008
fresh:
Giddily atypical in its style even as it explores lurid new byways of Hitchcock's familiar obsessions.