Some people want to bundle this together with "The Texas chainsaw massacre", but I have no doubt that this is not what Pete Walker had in mind with "Frightmare".
Both films share the themes of families gone bad (in this case REALLY bad) and cannibalism, but the comparison ends there I think. Because TTCM is about some people who are insane and they are not really trying to hide it. The "monster" in this movie knows what she is doing is an abominable act and therefore tries to hide her "little affliction" behind a respectable image of this nice little gray-haired lady.
"Frightmare" is a truly depressing, shocking and disturbing movie, primarily because it manages to make it's goings-on seem a little bit plausible. The performances are natural and unaffected (even though some of the younger actors are a bit stiff - and subsequently were never seen in a movie again), the murders unpleasant (but not as gory as you think they are at a first viewing) and the 70's settings gray and bleak. And the final family confrontation in the attic truly is one of British cinemas most disturbing moments.
At the heart of the movie, and it's greatest strength, is Sheila Keith! Her performance as Dorothy Yates is truly chilling and yet strangely sympathetic. Her savage attacks on her victims and, moments later, her timid knitting-mother style, chilled me to the bone. And without her, "Frightmare" probably would have been more or less forgotten today. The best scenes in this movie are ALL with her, especially those tarot sessions where she displays every facet of her acting skill.
Rupert Davies as her weak and suffering husband is also strong, but more subdued (it couldn't be otherwise). Also worth mentioning is the actress Kim Butcher (sic!) who really tries very hard in her role as a juvenile delinquent with a very, VERY twisted mind.
The movie is shot in a fairly dull and straight-forward way, with two exceptions: the interior scenes in the house of the old couple and the prologue! All these scenes are excellently atmospheric!
You are at the edge of your seat almost during the whole movie because you feel that almost no one is save from the slaughter (and how right you are!). Pete Walker never did anything approaching this level ever again (though he tried hard and had Mrs Keith cast as a murderess two more times). However, be warned, this is not for every taste (no pun intended).
Both films share the themes of families gone bad (in this case REALLY bad) and cannibalism, but the comparison ends there I think. Because TTCM is about some people who are insane and they are not really trying to hide it. The "monster" in this movie knows what she is doing is an abominable act and therefore tries to hide her "little affliction" behind a respectable image of this nice little gray-haired lady.
"Frightmare" is a truly depressing, shocking and disturbing movie, primarily because it manages to make it's goings-on seem a little bit plausible. The performances are natural and unaffected (even though some of the younger actors are a bit stiff - and subsequently were never seen in a movie again), the murders unpleasant (but not as gory as you think they are at a first viewing) and the 70's settings gray and bleak. And the final family confrontation in the attic truly is one of British cinemas most disturbing moments.
At the heart of the movie, and it's greatest strength, is Sheila Keith! Her performance as Dorothy Yates is truly chilling and yet strangely sympathetic. Her savage attacks on her victims and, moments later, her timid knitting-mother style, chilled me to the bone. And without her, "Frightmare" probably would have been more or less forgotten today. The best scenes in this movie are ALL with her, especially those tarot sessions where she displays every facet of her acting skill.
Rupert Davies as her weak and suffering husband is also strong, but more subdued (it couldn't be otherwise). Also worth mentioning is the actress Kim Butcher (sic!) who really tries very hard in her role as a juvenile delinquent with a very, VERY twisted mind.
The movie is shot in a fairly dull and straight-forward way, with two exceptions: the interior scenes in the house of the old couple and the prologue! All these scenes are excellently atmospheric!
You are at the edge of your seat almost during the whole movie because you feel that almost no one is save from the slaughter (and how right you are!). Pete Walker never did anything approaching this level ever again (though he tried hard and had Mrs Keith cast as a murderess two more times). However, be warned, this is not for every taste (no pun intended).