Has anybody else seen this late 1960s thriller? I caught a screening of it at "The Best of QT Fest" a month or two ago, and I thought it was a gem of a movie. It stars Hayley Mills, and was written and directed by Roy Boulting. It's got some Hitchcock in itself, and could probably pass itself off as one of the master's lesser films. It left that distinct of an impression on me.

I'm just wondering if anybody else has seen it, and if anybody knows if it'll ever get any sort of home-video release (I know that this isn't the forum for that last question, but I don't want to start two separate threads). It is the epitome of a lost classic, and I've love to own a copy and share it with others.

Months after the fact, I still can't get the hauntingly gorgeous Bernard Herrmann score out of my head.

-JP

I have to disagree. While I don't think - as many critics do - it is horribly offensive with regard to its treatment of mental illness, it isn't very good either.

Convincing points you make there.

In that case I'll consider posting my analysis on IMDB.

I've heard part of the score (it was used in Kill Bill), but that's all I know.

I understand your frustration NatrlBornThrllr, you make a thread about an obscure film you obviously really like, hoping that there may be someone else who might also enjoy it, and your first response is someone telling you they don't like it.

I've always wanted to see this film...hopefully it'll make its way on DVD soon....thanks for posting

I too have always wanted to see it. Love the poster.

I agree. The film is too long, there's little suspense and the premise is of course ridiculous. Worth a watch for Hywel Bennett's performance as the psychopatic killer, the good, but not great, score by Hermann (yes, the main theme was used in Kill Bill) and some inventive camera work. But all in all, even if you know not to expect a slasher (don't trust the poster), this film mostly fails to deliver. I'd say watch Peeping Tom instead.

^Those were roughly my impressions too, but I couldn't comment in any depth because I haven't seen it in 3-4 years.

And Jaymole, fact is, the thread-starter asked if anyone had seen the film. That is an implicit invitation to comment, either in favour of the film, against it, or in between, which is where I stand. If he/she had only wanted concurring blandishments, why bother?
If anything, I might have taken greater offense at what I perceived was a sarcastic riposte. I wasn't certain, else I would have pointed to the absence of any real evaluative meat in the initiator's comments on the film.