Blake Edwards monochromatic thriller is a beautifully shot, tense film filled with excellent performances. Kelly Sherwood (Lee Remick) works as a bank teller. One night upon returning home she's threatened by a stranger known as 'Red' (Ross Martin) in her garage, she's then forcibly told to rob her bank of $100,000 or she and her sister will be murdered by him.
She then manages to get the word out to an FBI officer John 'Rip' Ripley (Glenn Ford) without Red knowing. Rip then advises Kelly on what to do and how to act in order to lure Red out and catch him. The film does a great job of maintaining it's tension even though the film is slightly overlong and suffers from pacing issues in the second act. However the screen-writers do a great job of writing likable, interesting characters whilst keeping the action focused on their situations rather then the plot/heist, which helps to hide some of the pacing issues.
The entire cast all give excellent performances, especially from Ford and Remick. Their actions and reactions are down to earth and feel like genuine progressions, rather then the hyperbolic acting associated in that era of film-making. The film is expertly directed by Edwards who's unafraid of having a hard edge when the film needs it. Although this was most likely due to the fact that post-Psycho directors were able to push the envelop a-lot more. Whilst there's nothing offensive by today's standards the film does manage to keep a few hidden surprises up its sleeve.
This film reminded me in a-lot of ways to Cape Fear which came out in the same year. Whilst I wouldn't put it on the same level, I would say that Experiment in Terror would make a fantastic companion piece on a double feature with it.
She then manages to get the word out to an FBI officer John 'Rip' Ripley (Glenn Ford) without Red knowing. Rip then advises Kelly on what to do and how to act in order to lure Red out and catch him. The film does a great job of maintaining it's tension even though the film is slightly overlong and suffers from pacing issues in the second act. However the screen-writers do a great job of writing likable, interesting characters whilst keeping the action focused on their situations rather then the plot/heist, which helps to hide some of the pacing issues.
The entire cast all give excellent performances, especially from Ford and Remick. Their actions and reactions are down to earth and feel like genuine progressions, rather then the hyperbolic acting associated in that era of film-making. The film is expertly directed by Edwards who's unafraid of having a hard edge when the film needs it. Although this was most likely due to the fact that post-Psycho directors were able to push the envelop a-lot more. Whilst there's nothing offensive by today's standards the film does manage to keep a few hidden surprises up its sleeve.
This film reminded me in a-lot of ways to Cape Fear which came out in the same year. Whilst I wouldn't put it on the same level, I would say that Experiment in Terror would make a fantastic companion piece on a double feature with it.