A Classic Tale of Shadows and Scares

Read Time:4 Minute, 4 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Fright (4K)
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Genre: Horror, Thriller
Year Released: 1971, 2024 Kino Lorber 4K
Runtime: 1h 27m
Director(s): Peter Collinson
Writer(s): Tudor Gates
Cast: Susan George, Honor Blackman, Ian Bannen, John Gregson, Dennis Waterman, George Cole, Tara Collinson, Maurice Kaufmann
Where To Watch: available November 5, 2024; pre-order your copy here: www.kinolorber.com or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: When an ordinary babysitting gig turns dark at dusk, FRIGHT unfurls its sinister wings, casting a shadow over the unsuspecting protagonist. This directorial venture by Peter Collinson, renowned for adrenaline-pumping pursuits in THE ITALIAN JOB, veers into the shadows of psychological horror. The film sketches the chilling tale of Amanda, embodied with riveting ferocity by Susan George, whose evening escalates into an ordeal of unexpected horrors and profound psychological distress, all captured through a minimalist exploration that amplifies the suspense.

As darkness swallows the Lloyd residence, every subtle creak and the eerie whistle of the wind contribute to an atmosphere brimming with suspense. Collinson transforms the mundane into the menacing, proving how a seemingly benign environment can evolve into a full-fledged character within the narrative. In this chilling setting, Amanda's quiet night rapidly deteriorates as she discovers that the family's buried past is neither forgotten nor gone. It resurfaces in the form of Brian (Ian Bannen,) the estranged patriarch who has broken out from confinement and is now ready to wreak havoc.

FRIGHT predates and pioneers elements that would become cornerstones of the slasher genre, setting the stage long before classics like HALLOWEEN entered the scene. It eschews the future reliance on gore, opting instead to cultivate fear through anticipation and the power of suggestion. Rather than overt scares, the film excels in what it implies, with a chilling soundtrack that weaves together the ambient sounds of a horror film within the film and the unnerving calm of the Lloyd home, heightening the sense of impending doom that stalks Amanda through the shadowy corridors.

The narrative's strength lies in its human element. George’s Amanda transitions from a typical college student to a quintessential scream queen, offering a textured portrayal of survival against escalating dread. Her dynamic with Brian, who fluctuates between calm and volatile outbursts, injects a palpable sense of dread into the film, painting a portrait of the unpredictability lurking within the human mind.

The film’s meticulously crafted tension somewhat wanes as the tension unfolds, giving way to more explicit confrontations. This shift from psychological subtlety to straightforward horror may dilute the allure established in the first act. While still engaging, the film’s latter half tends to tread into more predictable territory, somewhat diminishing the suspense that defines its opening sequences.

Despite this, Collinson’s directorial restraint ensures that FRIGHT never descends into the realm of the melodramatic. The sparse yet effective deployment of the home accentuates the film’s underlying themes of physical and psychological entrapment. Honor Blackman’s portrayal of Helen Lloyd adds an emotional depth that anchors the film’s more spectral elements in a tangible reality.

FRIGHT emerges as a seminal work within the horror genre, straddling the line between an old-school thriller and a timeless exploration of fear. It offers more than jump scares; it delves into the psychological underpinnings of terror that resonate with a haunting familiarity. Collinson crafts a narrative that, while reflective of its era, speaks to the enduring nature of horror rooted in the human psyche, ensuring that the film remains a poignant study of fear.

Product Extras:
2018 UHD SDR Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative
NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian Howard S. Berger
Interview with Author/Film Historian Kim Newman
Theatrical Trailer
Optional English Subtitles

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[photo courtesy of KINO LORBER]

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