Review of Fright

Fright (1971)
8/10
Bumps in the night.
25 October 2004
Looking for a dark, moody, even solemn movie? Give this one a turn. Fright is a thriller that relies more on sheer spookiness than out-and-out action.

Young Amanda is left alone to baby sit at a house in rural England. In the dead of night everything seems to put her on edge; noises outside the windows, a light bulb goes out, the creaking of the old house. Amanda tries to tell herself she is only being a chicken about it all, but what if there really is someone outside? What would she do-- if there was a knock at the door or a pale face peering through the window? That's just what she'll find out.

The title of this film turns out to be quite fitting as Fright grows from spooky atmosphere to intense suspense and finally a dramatic conclusion that's almost saddening. Collinson's direction is splendidly tight and builds to tremendous tension. Kudos go to a great cast, a haunting theme song, and to writer Tudor Gates for being the first to come up with the babysitter vs. madman thriller.

A dark film if there ever was one, Fright is a powerful and atmospheric thriller that should please anyone seeking some good chills without gory violence.

*** out of ****
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