1972
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
It is nice to see a familiar face in the seventies even though, unfortunately, this is the last Hitchcock film in The Book. I wish it was a better send off, but this is one of my least favorite Hitchcock movies.
A serial killer is raping and murdering women in London with horrifically ugly neckties. Suspicion falls on Richard Blaney, but when is the accused ever guilty in a Hitchcock movie?
Frequent readers of my blog know that I can't stand rape in films. Still, I can't deny that it is is a compelling movie. A lot of the redeeming qualities of this movie can be found in the last scene, which I can't reveal without major spoilers. I will say the male leads are incredible.
Parts of this film were needlessly disturbing, like when a woman's fingers are broken after rigor mortis sets in.
Not very Hitchcockian but still worthy of a watch.
RATING: ****-
Interesting Facts:
Only Hitchcock film to get a R rating.
HITCHCOCK RADAR: In the crowd at the beginning of the film.
Yes, there are several much better Hitchcock's that could have gone in without this. I guess they thought they needed a 'late period' one to balance the classics.. but.. Hohum.. it's not that bad.
ReplyDeleteSolid film, but the Master of Suspense did better.
ReplyDeleteExactly! I think we are probably too hard on him since we expect so much.
DeleteI think you are a lot nicer to it than I was. The R-rating did not add anything to it and the police work is incredibly sloppy. Rarely has a murderer been advertising his presence as clearly as here.
ReplyDeleteBits of this were clunky and bits were OK. If it weren't made by Alfred Hitchcock we wouldn't bother to criticise it, but equally it would have been instantly forgotten for all time after a fairly brief cinema run.
ReplyDelete