IMDb RATING
6.4/10
1.6K
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A disturbed, institutionalized 16-year-old girl struggles between fantasy and reality.A disturbed, institutionalized 16-year-old girl struggles between fantasy and reality.A disturbed, institutionalized 16-year-old girl struggles between fantasy and reality.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 4 nominations total
Karin Collison
- Nurse
- (as Elizabeth Dartmoor)
Barbara Steele
- Idat
- (scenes deleted)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe lead female role of of Deborah Blake in this picture was previously intended for Natalie Wood who had unrealized plans to both produce and star in the movie. Wood once had planned to produce the picture as well as star in it in the role of Deborah Blake but those plans never materialized. The part in the end was played in the film by Kathleen Quinlan.
- GoofsIn the New Year's Eve party scene, Deborah is seen with loose hair talking to Dr. Fried and then there is a close-up of Deborah with her hair pulled back from her forehead.
- Quotes
Deborah Blake: You can turn me off, you know. You can go off with your friends and write another paper on schizophrenia and get an award for it. But I can't turn me off. So I'm calling off the fight.
Dr. Fried: So you quit. Stay in the nuthouse for the rest of your life.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Hot Cookies (1977)
Featured review
Every Rose has its Thorn
Deborah Blake (Kathleen Quinlan) is admitted to a country institution by her high street parents, unable to cope with the ignominy brought upon them, by her erratic, anti-social behaviour. Taunted by her inner-demons (to which we're treated inventively from the mind's eye perspective), she's gradually cajoled from her psychosis by the unassuming, yet fiercely determined treating doctor (Bibi Andersson delivering a warm, sympathetic performance). Along the journey, there's a couple of plot diversions, some poignant, others hackneyed and exploitative, but then would New World Pictures ever have made this movie without a stereotypical bully nurse scenario? Unlikely.
Roger Corman's production combines cinematic liberties with an at times reverent translation of the Hannah Green novel, creating a compelling B-movie drama and an unlikely companion in the mental illness sub-genre. A cynical viewer might postulate that Corman saw a payday following the success of "One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest", and to an extent, this remains exploitative cinema. Quinlan's performance on the other-hand defies that brand, her characterisation personifies trauma and while often intense, isn't overcooked.
You have to commend New World Pictures for commissioning this release against type, especially when you consider it was straddled by "Hollywood Boulevard" and "Piranha" in the production line. Has a tendency to stigmatise in its representations of the subject matter, and not as sophisticated as, say, William Friedkin's ultra disturbing "Bug", "Rose Garden" thematically, probably nestles in between "Caged Heat" on the left, and "Cuckoo's Nest" on the right. A curious comparison to make, nevertheless, an enjoyable film in spite of its flaws.
Roger Corman's production combines cinematic liberties with an at times reverent translation of the Hannah Green novel, creating a compelling B-movie drama and an unlikely companion in the mental illness sub-genre. A cynical viewer might postulate that Corman saw a payday following the success of "One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest", and to an extent, this remains exploitative cinema. Quinlan's performance on the other-hand defies that brand, her characterisation personifies trauma and while often intense, isn't overcooked.
You have to commend New World Pictures for commissioning this release against type, especially when you consider it was straddled by "Hollywood Boulevard" and "Piranha" in the production line. Has a tendency to stigmatise in its representations of the subject matter, and not as sophisticated as, say, William Friedkin's ultra disturbing "Bug", "Rose Garden" thematically, probably nestles in between "Caged Heat" on the left, and "Cuckoo's Nest" on the right. A curious comparison to make, nevertheless, an enjoyable film in spite of its flaws.
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- Chase_Witherspoon
- Jan 7, 2010
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By what name was I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1977) officially released in Canada in English?
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