FRIGHT

UK, 1971, 87 minutes, Colour.
Susan George, Honor Blackman, Ian Bannen, John Gregson, George Cole, Dennis Waterman.
Directed by Peter Collinson.

Fright is not exactly an original story – it is the familiar story of the babysitter menaced by a mad parent. However, the film is quite effectively done, providing some chills and scares.

Susan George was emerging as a leading actress in the UK at this time and appeared in Sam Peckinpah’s Straw Dogs. Honor Blackman and Ian Bannen were always reliable standbys in later British films. 1950s veterans John Gregson and George Cole appear and Dennis Waterman was more at the beginning of his career.

The film was directed by Peter Collinson who made his mark during the 1960s with such strong films as Up the Junction, The Long Day’s Dying and the very popular The Italian Job. After that he moved during the 70s into a series of thrillers, Innocent Bystanders, Open Season as well as remakes of And Then There Were None and The Spiral Staircase. His last film was made in Australia, The Earthling with Ricky Schroeder and William Holden.

1. A sensational terror film or something more substantial?

2. The situation of the terrorised babysitter – almost a cliché. Did this film handle the situation better than usual? How?

3. How did the settings, atmosphere, details prepare the audience for the terror?

4. Was Amanda a sympathetic heroine, could the audience identify easily with her? How necessary for the success of the film?

5. Were Helen, Jim and Dr Cordell any more than cardboard characters necessary for the plot? How well developed was the character of Helen? How necessary for the climax of the film?

6. The purpose of the introduction of Chris? Was his murder necessary or unnecessary?

7. The character of Brian, essential for the success of the film? Was he merely a frightening psychotic who was rightly destroyed after terrorising Amanda and the baby or did Ian Bannen’s portrayal offer something more? Did his performance make the character sympathetic in any way, understandable, pitiful? How did Amanda respond?

8. The visual alternation of Amanda/Helen in Brian’s mind? Was it well worked into the film?

9. The credibility of the ending, especially Amanda shooting Brian?

10. The title – and how frightening was the film? Interesting, exciting, plausible?

11. The techniques of light and shadow, darkness, editing? Atmosphere?

12. Is this kind of film dangerous in arousing the audience – or just terror-entertainment?