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The Psychopath (1966)
Great Amicus Horror/Thriller with a Giallo Vibe
This film is a little unusual in the Amicus catalogue, as it plays very like a Mario Bava giallo.
Directed by the great Freddie Francis, written by Robert Bloch (Psycho) and starring Patrick Wymark, there are plenty of extremely creepy scenes, such as the room full of dolls.
The final reveal is one of the greats of the genre and pretty disturbing for a film of this vintage.
Highly recommended for horror and gialli fans.
The Droving (2020)
A Solid Folk Horror
This is the second folk horror feature directed by George Popov and written by Popov and Jonathan Russell.
Although the film does not feel derivative, we can certainly see the influence of classics of the genre, like The Wicker Man and Kill List. There is also something of Get Carter in here too.
The film is at its best when concentrating on the impressive landscapes and the main protagonist. Some of the other performers are not as strong and the climax is let down slightly by this.
However, the film has a good story and score and is definitely worth a watch for fans of the folk horror genre, who will find plenty to enjoy in it.
Hex (2017)
A Well Done Micro Budget Horror Feature
Hex is a low/micro budget horror/drama set in the English Civil War and makes good use of the costume of that period.
The performances are of a good standard and the two protagonists are well rounded and give the viewer a nice glimpse into the ideas and prejudices of the period.
One negative would be that the chasing around the woods went on a little long, but we are rewarded for putting up with that with a nice ending when the two soldiers finally meet the person they believe to be the witch who has been "haunting" them.
A solid film and worth a watch for those who appreciate small independent films.
Paranoiac (1963)
Superior Psycho Cash-In
In the wake of Hitchcock's Psycho, there was a slew of rip-offs and cash-ins, but Paranoiac manages to establish its own identity and deliver a genuinely tense horror/thriller.
Directed by the legendary Freddie Francis and starring a young Oliver Reed at his most volatile and dangerous, Paranoiac is a pretty atypical film of its type. It begins by establishing itself as a Gaslight-style thriller and ends up in full on Norman Bates territory, via a little segue through Gothic Horror and Film Noir.
Elizabeth Lutyen's soundtrack is a real high point. It is disturbing, yet lush, and is used sparing to punctuate moments of high tension, horror and madness, which makes it all the more effective. The more understated moments of the film tend to make use of either diabetic music, or just the production sound and Foley.
The cinematography is gorgeous and really benefits from the monochrome look. The camera is agile and takes the viewer along with it for the ride, in a way that would later become popular with Italian directors, such as Mario Bava and Dario Argento.
Overall, this is a film not to be missed by fans of Hammer, Oliver Reed, or any thriller lover.
Lord of Tears (2013)
Solid Entry into the Folk Horror Canon
There is a lot to love about Lord of Tears. Despite its obvious low budget, it was clearly made with a lot of love and passion and that shows on screen.
The story has elements of Lovecraftian lore, as well as similarities to other Folk Horrors, such as The Borderlands, but it still manages to stand up in its own right.
For the most part, the two leads were pretty good. Alexandra Hulme is very watchable, although the extended dance sequence and swimming pool scene, despite being nice in themselves, do drag down the pace of the film somewhat. David Schofield is strong in the first half of the film, but a little less convincing as his character begins to come apart at the scenes later on.
The Scottish landscapes are stunning and the locations are great. The "monster" of the movie was quite an inspired choice - despite borrowing from the killer of Soavi's Stagefright - as I imagine it was (relatively) inexpensive to manufacture, but looks genuinely frightening.
There are some odd framing choices made for one or two of the interior shots at times. This could be due to the restrictions of the space, an attempt to disconcert the viewer, or just lack of experience. In any case, they do bring a slightly amateurish feel to those shots, especially when compared to the stunning exteriors.
The music is, for the most part, very good, but the overall mix of the film (dialogue, Foley, sound design, music etc.) would have benefited from another draft. Some of the Foley and ADR in the exterior shots is much too dry and in the viewer's face to feel natural.
Overall, this is an enjoyable film to watch, as long as you understand what you are getting into regarding budget and production values. Taken for what it is, this is a good micro budget film made by passionate and enthusiastic filmmakers.