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Frenzy
1972
FRENZY was Alfred Hitchcock's penultimate film--and the first film he'd made in England in 20 years. Based on an Arthur La Bern novel, the film focuses on many of the same motifs that Hitchcock had obsessively examined throughout his life's work: the wrong man theme, doubling (in which one person acts out the repressed violence .. Read more
| Starring | Jon Finch, Alec McCowen, Barry Foster, Billie Whitelaw |
|---|---|
| Director | Alfred Hitchcock |
| Genres | Thriller |
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Frenzy
FRENZY was Alfred Hitchcock's penultimate film--and the first film he'd made in England in 20 years. Based on an Arthur La Bern novel, the film focuses on many of the same motifs that Hitchcock had obsessively examined throughout his life's work: the wrong man theme, doubling (in which one person acts out the repressed violence of another), and the general public's thirst for sex and violence. Hitchcock had made films featuring Jack the Ripper-type killers before, including THE LODGER in 1926, a silent movie about a series of murders in London and a mysterious man who appears to be guilty of the crimes. In FRENZY, Hitchcock goes mod with this blackly comic story about a sex criminal--the Necktie Killer--plaguing post-Carnaby London. An innocent man who is suspected by police as the murderer must fight to nab the real perpetrator and clear his name. Though not as well-known as his other films, FRENZY marked a striking return to form for the famed director. Anthony Shaffer's script is excellent, and Jon Finch brings distinctive qualities to his role as the classic Hitchcock man-accused hero.
| Starring | Jon Finch, Alec McCowen, Barry Foster, Billie Whitelaw, Anna Massey, Barbara Leigh Hunt, Bernard Cribbins, Vivien Merchant |
|---|---|
| Director | Alfred Hitchcock |
| Studio | UNIVERSAL PICTURES UK |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 50 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Collections | 100 Top Thrillers |
| Genres | Thriller |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 21 Apr 2003 Production year: 1972 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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Alfred Hitchcock's penultimate film saw him return to his British roots with this thriller about a necktie murderer causing havoc in London. Jon Finch plays the chief suspect but, typically, Hitchcock is more interested in black humour than a simple whodunnit. Lots of typical Hitchcockian touches are on show — a roving, restless camera; dark shots of fleeing footsteps at the edge of our view; a shocking corpse when least expected… Sleuth author Anthony Shaffer wrote the screenplay and there's plenty of other local talent on display, including Alec McCowen, Vivien Merchant and the excellent Billie Whitelaw. While some regard this as inferior fare, it remains an unsettling piece.
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Has-been, unconvincing, cliché-ridden thriller, an old man's sex suspenser, which would have been derided if anyone but Hitchcock had made it. As it is, a few comic and suspenseful touches partly atone for the implausibilities and lapses of taste.
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Most helpful member's review
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9 out of 9 people found this review helpful
still first class
Hitch may have been getting on a bit, but that has not stopped him from putting out a movie which can stand alongside his best works. Absolutely superb performances from all involved and Hitchcocks London looks as good on film as it ever did.
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Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
excellent hitchcock film
Typical good suspense film has you guessing till the end.
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News and features
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Possible remake of The Birds for Naomi Watts
- 18 Oct 2006
King Kong and 21 Grams star Naomi Watts is reportedly being considered for the remake of Alfred Hitchcock classic The Birds. According to TMZ.com, the Australian actress - who featured in remakes of The Ring and the aforementioned ape-epic - could star as Melanie Daniels, the character previously played by Tippi Hedren. A haunting story of a small California town attacked by vicious birds, the 1963 movie was taken from a short story by mistress of eerie suspense, Daphne DuMaurier. Prior to The... Read more
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Frenzy
FRENZY was Alfred Hitchcock's penultimate film--and the first film he'd made in England in 20 years. Based on an Arthur La Bern novel, the film focuses on many of the same motifs that Hitchcock had obsessively examined throughout his life's work: the wrong man theme, doubling (in which one person ...
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