1973 Hit Horror Film, Whose Production Nearly Killed a '70s Icon, Ranked Among Best Movies of All Time
In 1973, the psychological horror-thriller film Don't Look Now captured viewers' attention by delivering remarkable cinematography, an impeccable cast ensemble and an unconventional plot.
Despite failing to score a box office hit at the time of its release, the Nicolas Roeg-directed film is now ranked as one of the "best movies of all time."
In a list shared by Time Out, the publication ranked the top 100 movies that they believe best meet its criteria including the quality of storytelling and screenplay, as well as the timeless impact it continues to hold even years or decades after its release.
Securing the 98th place, Don't Look Now was selected among cinema's finest achievements due to the haunting ambiance it created around Daphne du Maurier's story.
Based on the 1971 short story by the acclaimed author, Roeg's filmmaking techniques made viewers feel an eerie supernatural atmosphere, with Time Out describing it as a "primal cry of grief that shakes you to the core."
Don't Look Now follows the story of architectural historian John Baxter, played by Donald Sutherland, whose character experiences strange premonitions.
Along with his wife, Laura Baxter, portrayed by actress Julie Christie, the couple moves to Venice, Italy, after John accepts an architectural commission to restore an old church.
This is also their way of slowly moving forward after the tragic death of their young daughter.
However, in hopes of starting anew and rebuilding their lives, they become entangled with two elderly sisters who claim to be in contact with their deceased child.
As mentioned, the movie didn't achieve major commercial success but earned multiple nominations during the 1974 British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA), which included Best Film, Best Direction for Nicolas Roeg, Best Leading Actor for Donald Sutherland, Best Leading Actress for Julie Christie, Best Film Editing and Best Sound Track and it won Best Cinematography.
Amid the critical acclaim, Don't Look Now also faced a serious setback when one of its lead stars nearly experienced a fatal accident during filming.
Due to the limited budget, Donald Sutherland reportedly performed his own stunt in a dangerous sequence.
The scene shows his character suspended high above the church floor after the scaffolding collapsed.
Sutherland, who was held aloft by a single thin wire, nearly fell to his death with heavy wooden planks crashing down around him as he hung in midair.
Thankfully, the crew acted fast and was able to lower him to the ground safely just before the wire failed completely.
The director decided to include the take in the final cut after capturing the genuine terror of the lead actor's reaction, adding immense tension to the scene.
Related: 1972 Hit Drama Film Named Among ‘Best Movies of the '70s' Still Holds a Perfect Rating
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This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 6:30 AM.