SECONDS decries the dehumanization of the middle class. The protagonist is a successful banker, though successful at banking, in late middle age finds his life devoid of purpose. Given an opportunity to completely start his life over he jumps at the chance even though it means he must "die" and be reborn in a new body.

Filmed in black and white SECONDS has that unsettling jumpy-jangly editing and sound track I associate with 50s film noir. It keeps the viewer off balance and out of kilter, like the banker who slides slowly, effortlessly into a more ominous dehumanized existence than the one he left. An oddly (but successfully) cast Rock Hudson gives a great performance as the 'reborn' banker. Recommended when in the mood for something different.

John Frankenheimer's tense thriller is heavy on atmosphere and suspense and short on action and event, so if you're a fan of the former two, then this may just be the film for you. It's a very bleak movie with a downbeat and horrific ending, made all the more terrible through its subtlety. Throughout SECONDS themes of paranoia, identity, trust, isolation, and eternal youth are studied in a slow, sombre way. While not overtly horrific, the coldness and hopelessness of this movie is designed to remain in the viewer's mind after watching, and there is much to think about.

While the plot itself - old people are "sold" new, young bodies to inhabit - seems like an old, clichéd sci-fi premise, this film couldn't be further from that. Indeed what makes SECONDS so coldly compelling is it's sheer matter-of-factness and feeling of reality, the way the story is filmed makes the premise seem plausible. Additional factors which add to the feel are an appropriate score from Jerry Goldsmith and some wonderful acting (especially on the part of Rock Hudson, who totally convinces as somebody trapped in somebody else's body).

Also particularly good is John Randolph, who plays the older version of Hudson's character and transfixes us with his sad, doleful expression. Scattered throughout are a smattering of scenes which convey nausea and sickness (like the hippy gathering in the woods, or the drunk scene) in a realistic way, while the black and white photography really adds to the bleakness of things. Not one for the cheap thrills crowd, SECONDS instead is a minor classic in itself and worth watching for those who enjoy more psychological chills.

This movie is one of the creepiest films I have ever seen. It gave me the shivers because it seemed so real and so paranoid at the same time.

The story begins with a middle-aged man being approached by what seems like a total stranger. The stranger identifies himself as a on old friend, but this friend is DEAD and a lot older than the stranger. The stranger then convinces you he REALLY is your old friend--he had faked his death and was re-created as a younger man by a secret organization with the best doctors and plastic surgeons. And, if he'd like, he too can join this club--then fake his death and assume a newer, younger and more handsome identity.

When he awakes, the man is now played by Rock Hudson and he seems to love his new life--at first. Over time, he misses his wife and kids and his adjustment doesn't go perfectly. How this is handled in the end and the amazing plot make this movie a must see. The only negative part? Shortly after he becomes younger and handsome, our lead character runs amok and goes to some sort of Bacchanalian orgy. This orgy sequence just doesn't fit the film and it's done VERY stupidly--like some sort of hippie sequence on acid. It just doesn't fit into the rest of the film. If this were removed, the movie would get a score of 10.

PS--Will Geer plays an incredibly complex and horrible character that you MUST see for yourself. In my opinion, his is the standout performance in the film.