Patrick (1978) User Reviews

Slow-Paced, But Eerie Australian Horror

[Witchfinder-General-666 · 6/10 · 28 February 2008]

"Patrick" of 1978 is a slow-paced yet effective and weird little Austalian Horror film, that often seems like a drama more than a supernatural thriller. It is not an easy film to rate, but it sure was something completely different than I had expected before I first saw this. While I had expected to see a blood-soaked slasher, "Patrick" turned out to be a quite calm and slow-paced, but nonetheless eerie Thriller with a surprisingly elaborate plot...

Kathy (Susan Penhaligon), a young nurse who lives separated from her husband, finds a job in a mental hospital. As usual for new nurses, Kathy is assigned to care for Patrick (Robert Thompson), a sinister young comatose patient with an unholy past. While Patrick's only activity is his occasional spitting, the comatose man seems strangely alive...

While the film will probably not keep you on the edge of your chair in fear from the beginning to the end, it certainly delivers a certain tense and eerie atmosphere. This is not your film if you're looking for tons of blood and gore. To my surprise, "Patrick" was almost gore-less. Nevertheless, this film is definitely worth watching, both for its original storyline, and its eerie mood. The acting performances are good, though in no way outstanding. While Susan Penhaligon fits well in her role, I can't say that her performance impressed me. Robert Halperman and Julie Blake are very convincing in their roles, and even though the role may not call for the greatest acting skills, I must say that Robert Thompson was genuinely creepy as the eponymous character. There are two different scores for this version, one by Brian May for the Australian version, and one by Goblin for the European version. Even though European, my DVD (unfortunately) contains the Brian May score. Unfortunately, since as a hardcore fan of Italian Horror, Goblin-scores have become some of my favorite film soundtracks (and some of my favorite music to listen to). I will happily watch the movie again with the Goblin score, however.

"Patrick" may be a bit too slow-paced at times. Especially the strong focus on Kathy's private troubles is a bit superfluous. Nevertheless, this is an interesting little Horror film that true genre-fans will not regret watching. Especially recommendable for the eerie atmosphere! 6/10

Appearances can be deceiving.

[lost-in-limbo · 6/10 · 30 April 2006]

After killing his mother and her lover by electrocution. Patrick is now in a coma, where he has been bed-ridden for the past three years in a private hospital. The reason for him being kept on life support is that the doctor in charge; Dr. Roget is using him in the experiment into exploring the territory between life and death. Kathy a new nurse arrives and the first job she is given is to look after Patrick. While, the other staff might not see it, Kathy starts to realize that Patrick has psychokinetic powers, which he uses to manipulate things to his likings.

This is one film I've always been pushing aside, but I finally took the chance and seeing a couple of favourable reviews also helped. "Patrick" I found to be an interesting genre piece that was above-average compared to most low-budget and knock-off horror flicks. But again it didn't entirely wow me altogether, but still the film really does string you along with it's slow grinding suspense and slick execution. There are some effective scenes that are illustrated with great skill, but the suspense comes mostly from the thoroughly, taut script. Which, it does comes rather thick in. If you're looking for any blood, you'll be highly disappointed as this centres around the psychological nature than anything psychical. There are some minor acts of violence with the most damaging sight being done to a frog, but it focus more so on the aftermath and rallying the suspense through the surprising developments. The subtle plot has some unique details where little hints and suggestiveness are build up in key areas. The back-story surrounding Patrick is interestingly, involving and we're given time with most of the characters. But it might be too slow for some tastes. I actually thought they could've tighten the film down from its two hour running time, because at times it did kind of linger. Director Richard Franklin also brings to the table influences from Hitchcock, but also he adds some masterstrokes to his self-assured and patient handling of the picture. The professional cinematography plays around with some sharp moving shots and on show is a multi-layered score that plunges you into the deep end. The unknown cast are more than adequate with a strong lead performance by Susan Penhaligon as Kathy and Robert Thompson's appearance is creepy when they cut to him laying in bed as the vegetable Patrick. Robert Helpmann also is decent enough as Dr. Roget and rest of the supporting cast deliver fine performances.

Overall, "Patrick" follows a familiar pattern, but its done quite well.

Australian Horror

[michaelradny · 6/10 · 30 July 2015]

Another cult classic from the land of Australia. This is a good one to have on the shelf of your movie collection, but it'll probably collect a fair bit of dust. It is good but a bit boring. It seems to drag on for too long until the ultimate climax. Patrick proves to be interesting and new but fails a few too many times along it's way for the quest.

Good enough for a one watch trick, but anything after that might as well just skip to the last 20 or so minutes. Interesting and surprisingly original with its concepts and also relatively well made considering its budget. Not Australia's best, but a good cult classic to have in your ultimate, but not essential, collection of movies.

Cheaply-made, but stylish and effective.

[DexX · 3 December 2003]

I didn't know Aussies were making horror films like this in the late 70s, full of visual imagination and inventive direction. Aussie horror flicks are rare enough as it is, but genuinely good ones are a rarity, I am sad to say.

Patrick is one of the rare good ones, and it is a seriously underappreciated film. The titular character is a young man in a coma, shocked into inactivity by the death of his mother. He is, according to all medical tests, clinically dead, kept alive only by machines. The new nurse, however, thinks otherwise. Is there something going on behind that vacant face? Something evil? ...and powerful?

The first thing that struck me, mere seconds into the film, was the wonderful camera work and direction. Richard Franklin, who later went on to direct the also-underappreciated Psycho II, did an amazing job. On the topic of Psycho, it is obvious that he was a fan of Hitchcock - there are many visual tributes to Psycho and other Hitchcock films.

Made on a shoestring, as all Aussie films are, but especially horror films, it features only the most basic of optical, on-set, and make-up effects, but the way in which the cast takes them seriously lends them far more weight than they would otherwise carry.

Speaking of the cast, they are uniformly excellent, especially the sublime and sadly missed Sir Robert Helpmann - more famous for his dancing than his acting, he was never the less a greatly-respected cornerstone of 70s and 80s Australian cinema. While the rest of the cast are very good, it is Helpmann who really carries the film, exuding class and professionalism even while being flung about on strings and wrestling with a rubber axe.

Patrick is an effective thriller, which transcends its miniscule budget and makes good on its rather lofty ambitions. If you don't mind Aussie accents in your cheaply-made supernatural thrillers, I recommend it highly.

A sojourn into the area of psychic phemonena

[claudialora · 7/10 · 15 May 2008]

As others have commented, this film is a bit of a love story that delves into the area of psychic phemonena, in particular psychokinesis and, though it isn't overtly expressed, astral projection.

The title character, Patrick, is a patient in a private, long-term care facility. He's been in a seemingly irreversible vegetative state for three years, the result of psychological trauma experienced after the murder of his mother and her lover. Kathy is a new nurse at the facility who's main responsibility is the care of Patrick. She refuses to accept that he is unaware of his surroundings and repeatedly attempts to communicate with him. Spending long periods of time at his bedside she develops a bond with him, and it is soon revealed that he develops an even stronger bond with her.

The well-written story progresses very slowly but the performances are quite strong. There was not much "action" in this film, nor were there many special effects...yet as a psychodrama I suppose they weren't necessary. I found this film to be riveting. It easily drew me in, despite the lack of thrills one would expect in horror films. I was disappointed that there weren't many surprises, although truth be told as the film drew to its close there was one scene that was eerily unsettling and another scene where I literally jumped out of my skin (and that does not happen often). So all-in-all I enjoyed this movie.

I've been an avid fan of horror films for over 30 years, yet somehow I'd never heard of this one until a few days ago. I particularly enjoy films that do not rely on graphic violence, nudity and the use of four-letter words. In such films the writing, acting and directing is what categorizes them as great or awful. Though this film isn't one of the greats, it's not one of the worst films ever made either. I'm glad that I came across it, and I recommend it to any fan of horror.

A thrilling but overlong film about a young who develops strange powers and has a weird effect on the people

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 21 November 2021]

One patient has been in a coma for 4 years , after the creepy killing of his parents . He is confined to a hospital , his only action being his involuntary spitting ; later on , a new nurse comes to work on his floor and he begins to exhibit psychic powers . As Patrick suddenly using his psychic powers he comes in contact with . He starts by sending his messages on a nernearby typewriter but gets violent when he perceives certain people as his contenders , then executing a bloody revenge , ensuing a blood feast . The comatose hospital patient harasses and kills through his powers of telekinesis to claim his private nurse as his own , as he seems to be to manipulate events in her life . One by one, continuing an aggressive behavior , the visitors and enemies meet trouble. Does Patrick have feelings? . Patrick is Nearly Dead ... And Still He Kills!.Some people thought he was crazy, He appeared to be deaf, dumb and blind, None of them knew of the sixth sense: The power of PATRICK'S mind!.Patrick doesn't need his body anymore. He'll scare the hell out of you. Acclaimed by moviegoers and critics everywhere!.Patrick has a way with people. His way. Or else. The Ozploitation killer-in-a-coma classic!

Thunderously overwhrought pile of Grand Guignol horror and displaying a lot of destruction , slaughter, mayhem , poltergeister with his considerable telekinesis talents . The plot is well known , plain and simple : a young has secret amazing powers to move things with her mind , and making her angry could prove to be deadly . Some of violence but nothing really bloody . Acceptable main and support cast . Susan Penhaligon is fine as a pretty young nurse just separated from her husband who senses Patrick is communicating with her , as well as the veteran Robert Helpmann as the harassed doctor. And Robert Thompson as the young Patrick laying comatose in a small private hospital while giving a unsettling and disturbing appearance . Followed by an exploitation and inferior sequel : Patrick vive ancora 1980 by Mario Landi with Sacha Pitoëff , Gianni Dei , Mariangela Giordano, Carmen Russo .

It contains moving musical score by Brian May , as well as atmospheric Cinematography by Donald McAlpine , both of whom to develop a long career in Australia and Hollywood. This Suspense Thriller was regular but professionallly directed by Richard Franklyn . This third movie "Patrick" was a nifty horror feature that proved to be a big international success; it won the won the Grand Prize at the Avoriaz Fantastic Film Festival, was nominated for an AFI Award for Best Film, and won the Best Director Award at the Sitges-Catalonian International Film Festival. His another terror film "Roadgames" was a tense and witty "danger on the road" thriller knockout which was the most expensive Australian film made in the early 80s. Franklin then did the surprisingly solid and satisfying belated sequel "Psycho II." His other movies include the delightful "Cloak and Dagger," the silly "Link," and the hugely enjoyable "F/X 2." However, Franklin became weary of Hollywood studio politics and returned to his native Australia. He made the acclaimed play adaptations "Hotel Sorrento" and "Brilliant Lies." "Hotel Sorrento" won an AFI Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and was nominated for both Best Film and Best Director. Franklyn has made various fine terror and thriller movies : Patrick , road games , visitors , FX II and TV series as Beastmaster , Fastland , Lost world , among others . Rating : 6/10. Passable and acceptable.

Tuna Casserole? only the tip of the iceberg!

[yvonnerutherford · 7/10 · 22 November 2005]

I saw this film when I was in my teens and I have to say the whole thing really freaked me out! The tuna casserole thing was very minor to what happened later; not for the faint hearted! Great performance of a very scared person by Susan Penahligon (currently residing in the 'where are they now' file).

Not sure how I would feel now watching it some 20 odd years later, might give it a whirl (probably think it's lame now)! I am sure children today would think so, after all, I was completely shocked at the age of about 14 by the sight of a guy's head exploding at the beginning of Scanners!

Creepy and intense...a very effective thriller !!

[Coventry · 6/10 · 2 December 2003]

Patrick is a very underappreciated and often overlooked thriller from "Down Under". Yet, it's very intense and solid and - above all - pretty well made. I think it's one of those examples that proves you don't necessarily have to dispose of a huge budget to make an interesting movie. Just a solid plot idea and a lot of creativity will get the job done. Patrick was directed by someone named Richard Franklin. That name immediately rang a bell inside my head and I checked out his name as soon as I finished watching Patrick. Turns out this was the same guy who directed Psycho 2 and, suddenly, a whole lot of things got clarified. When you're watching Patrick, you don't have to be a detective to notice Franklin has got a huge Alfred Hitchkock fetish. Many references and tributes are made to "The Master of Suspense". It somehow gives an extra value to this movie, I think. ( By the way, I thought Psycho II was a very decent movie as well and a worthy sequel to Hitchkock's masterpiece )

**** SPOILERS **** At the age of 21, Patrick kills his mother and her lover. For a never fully explained reason, he got into a coma afterwards and stays in a private hospital ever since. He's kept alive by machines but they're keeping him alive, hoping to solve the mystery of live and death. He's being watched 24/7 and a new nurse - a recently separated young woman - succeeds in building up some sort of relationship with him. Over the years, Patrick has developed the sixth sens of psychokineses. While laying in his bed, he terrorizes every man who comes too close to "his" nurse. **** END SPOILERS ****

Patrick doesn't use many special and/or make up effects and when it does, it looks cheap. I'll admit that. But the power of this movie merely is in the slowly built up sequences of terror. For example, the sequence where the electricity is cut off and Patrick slowly turns his head towards the nightshift nurse is a terrific piece of suspense. The creepy atmosphere of the ancient hospital is always hanging around and this effect is even stengthened by the solid musical score. Also, I was very pleasantly surprised by the acting performances in Patrick. Especially Dr. Roget ( Robert Helpmann ) and the head-nurse ( María Mercedes --- nice name by the way ) left quite an impression on me. I even think the leading actress ( Susan Penhaligon ) deserves to be mentioned. I also liked her a lot in Soldaat van Oranje.

And last but certainly not least...Patrick contains a few very funny sequences. Not the ordinary slapstick of course but subtle and twisted humor that not everybody appreciates. Personally, I had a big grin on my face when the head-nurse explained to Kathy what kind of applicants her private hospital attracts ... but I can image not everyone thinks that's funny.

In conclusion...Well done, Australia !! I already knew they have the ability to make great cult films ( ever since I saw "The Cars that Ate Paris" ) and Patrick proves this statement once again. I'm now desperately trying to find the sequel "Patrick Still Lives", even though I have no idea what to expect from that. Anyone here who recommends that one ?

Just Lie Still

[thesar-2 · 5/10 · 15 August 2020]

Any movie that begins with multiple penis shots is fine with me!

(And WOW, this was rated PG. I've actually seen a handful of PG movies around that time with full frontal male nudity. Handful. Heh.)

While I'm running out of new-to-me and modern horror movies, I'm branching out to the old scary films I've never even heard of to get my fix. This one was NEVER on my radar and it was...just okay.

Usually the older ones - this is from 1978 - are much creepier, just because how they're made or the lowest of low budgets. That mostly always fit in to their benefit. Works on me. And it did here sometimes.

Basically, no spoilers as this is the setup, premise and takes place in the first 3 minutes, Title Character kills his mum and lover and then proceeds to spend the next 3 years in a comatose state when we reenter the story with a new nurse hired to care for him. In those 3 years, he's developed more skills that don't require sight, hearing, feeling...and everyone's gonna pay for it!

Sorry, I was trying to be funny with that last bit and be overdramatic.

The movie was well shot and mostly well-acted, I mean the Title Character has to remain still for his scenes and his eyes wide open, à la Clockwork Orange, or unlike the other Kubrick flick...Eyes Wide Shut. It seemed intelligently written and had some purpose, but had far too many missed opportunities. Plus, it was SUPER long at almost 2 hours. (Amazon must've had a director's cut. I watched a 112-minute version, but IMDb has this listed at 96 minutes. Dang. I wish I watched that version. Might have been tighter and all the fat cut out.)

Still, it's watchable and creepy enough for an old-school horror feel us junkies need to get high from, from time to time.

***

Final thoughts: This isn't even my type of horror movie: The Supernatural. BUT I did like the poster so much and I don't mind telekinesis so much. It's the ghost stories I really don't favor 80% of the time.

Superb direction, but is missing something

[Quinoa1984 · 6/10 · 14 February 2021]

Carrie meets Tommy, and it has a mean and nasty streak underlying it (certainly one where our heroine is emotionally oppressed by many men, and Matron Cassidy), and director Richard Franklin has a particular knack for staging and filming suspsnese set pieces. I wanted it to be... Bloody, frankly. This winds up at least a few good attacks and kills as Patrick uses his comakinesis on those who either may try to kill him or come close to the lovely nurse who gave him a woody by chance, but then it cuts away when it's about time for that big cathartic bang.

Penhaligon is a sympatbdtic lead, if a little two dimensional in portraying this character (maybe the writing can only do so much), and Robert Thompson has one of the great faces of evil in modern cinema. And if you are in the mood for a film that is a little more slow-going it has a few moments where it gets a pulse (an amusing thought given the subject). Maybe its a thing of expectations being a bit skewed; take away the bits of nudity or a "bad" word or two and this could be a PG13 or even PG horror movie. The best thing about it is that it means business when it comes to its moral horror, how men subjugate and try/succeed to control even when they are in a damn coma. I just wish the exploitation elements matched up to that.

Vegetable Gardening

[bkoganbing · 5/10 · 2 November 2009]

In Patrick, nurse Susan Penhaligon's job description is just that. She's put in charge of the care of a comatose patient named Patrick who is surviving on life support. Terri Schiavo was hale and hearty next to him.

But what the people in charge don't know, but Susan Penhaligon comes to suspect is that while Patrick's other senses are shutting down, he's developing that sixth sense, Extra Sensory Perception. Things start going bump in the night around Patrick. But worse than that Patrick can still feel and he's falling in love with Penhaligon. And he's a guy who tolerates no rivals around especially Rod Mullinar who is Penhaligon's estranged husband.

Patrick is a low budget Australian horror film that was shot in and around Melbourne with an Aussie cast. A few more production values could have helped, but the players are fine. Pay particular note to Julia Blake who plays the matron in charge of the hospice who hires Penhaligon against her will. Her character is a ripoff of the infamous Nurse Ratched from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

It's probably not fair to judge Patrick by USA film standards, the Aussie film industry was just coming into its own in the Seventies. Patrick did get nominated for their version of the Oscar. Still it could have used a little more polish.

A blast from the past; Franklin's fun homage to Hitchcock

[hippiedj · 9/10 · 13 March 2003]

FINALLY! The complete Australian language version of Richard Franklin's gem from 1978!

An enigmatic young man kills his mother, then somehow winds up in a coma in a private hospital. Enter the pretty young nurse who discovers Patrick has capabilities no one seems to know about, or want to admit they know about. For those that are thrill seekers, this film is not a fast-paced, action-packed story. BUT, for those of us that appreciate characters over wild thrills and enjoy careful buildups to a final reveal, this one is nicely done. There IS a reason it was an initial success and has gained a big cult following; people understood Franklin's intentions.

Sure, Patrick is not grand "cinema," but it's a nice mystery/love story with great performances, a keen sense of humour ("self-referential humour" as it has been described), and some rather strong adult content & nudity for what was supposed to be a PG-rated film, even in the altered version for American audiences back in 1978. I first saw it theatrically and was surprised by its content, but appreciated the homages to Hitchcock (which Franklin carefully points out in many scenes on the DVD's commentary track), and Brian May's score has a nice hermann-esque feel (I'm a proud owner of this score on vinyl). I was only disappointed that it was dubbed with American actors, which dummies down a film -- just take a peek at the dubbed version of Anatomy (aka Anatomie). Finally seeing this film in the original Australian language version on DVD made me like this film a lot more 25 years later.

While this film is not extremely original, it still provides enough intrigue for those who look deeper into films that the general public would brush off. Patrick could be considered an acquired taste, so those who are familiar with it and liked it will find the Elite DVD a very satisfying purchase and a nice surprise to see it in its original form. Others be warned, you might stick with more familiar "blockbuster hits." But realize, when films are pushed as "the hottest releases," you know something might be lacking and that it's processed for mass-friendly consumption. At least the Australian audiences did accept this film back then, and it won recognition. I'd like to think I was one of the Americans that understood why they found this film to be so great!

Low budget Aus film which pulls it off.

[mm-39 · 6/10 · 20 May 2021]

Patrick the film, starts out slow and drags. But if you can enduring the first third the film picks up steam. There is this catatonic patient who is telepathic and has mother issues too boot. Well the bottom two thirds is the movie Carrie meets the nursing home. A typewrite sends creepy messages by itself works well! Spot on acting and good character development with plot twists shows a low budget film can pull it off. 6 stars.

A movie about a guy in a coma- that will put you in a coma

[jcaraway3 · 3/10 · 23 April 2012]

Patrick is a 1978 horror film made in Australia about a guy who falls into a coma and communicates with a nurse- and it's about as dull as Psychic killer movies can get. This movie gets a couple extra stars from me because of it's decent writing and mature mood, but the movie is far too boring to get any better of a rating than a 3 from me. Seriously, almost nothing at all happens in this movie. Most of it is just the guy writing things on the nurse's typewriter using...his mind! Ooh, how horrifying! Other than (SPOILERS!) the couple dying at the beginning, and a nurse being fried(which we don't actually get to see), not much happens. A guy almost drowns in a swimming pool, another guy burns his hands on a crock pot, and a nurse passes out. Pretty much an uneventful film. At one point, Patrick actually wakes up and turns his head. I was hoping that maybe that would mean we were over the whole "lying in a bed" part of the movie, but nope, the next scene he's in, he's right back in his coma. Explain that one. Now, I don't want to sound like some modern horror movie fan with no appreciation for the "less is more" classics, but if you want to have an effective horror movie, you at least have to show us SOMETHING throughout your film!

Anyway, Patrick is a horror movie that just never really took off. The DVD cover lied. It was not "extrememly bloody" like the review clip on the front said, and the synopsis is wrong. People in the nurse's life do not begin to get killed in mysterious ways. It's a movie that gives the viewer almost nothing throughout, and does almost nothing.

Weird, slow - but not too bad.

[wombat_1 · 26 November 2001]

I think that some commentators expected far too much from this movie. For a "no-budget" film, you can't expect great special effects. Look at how much "Twilight Zone" achieved on a tiny budget; what a caning it got from "the critics", and then look at its popular success.

I see much the same here. After all, the only "special effect" really required was the typewriter typing all by itself! Weird it is - but then it's supposed to be. And slow, too: isn't that the whole point of a "suspense" movie?

In my opinion, it builds on its initial premise (the development of "mental" powers when physical ones don't exist) reasonably well, and achieves its objectives quite well. It's not "Star Wars" or even "Sixth Sense", but it never intended to be.

A witty thriller. I hate horror but I liked this

[PeterM27 · 7/10 · 18 December 2021]

This supernatural thriller, about an apparently comatose young man with the power of telekinesis in a Melbourne private clinic, was surprisingly good, especially for a viewer who doesn't normally like such things. Director Richard Franklin was a fan of Alfred Hitchcock, and there are a lot of Hitchockian features in this film: the use of suspense, the visual and verbal jokes scattered throughout the film, the blonde heroine, the use of close shots in the corridors and on the stairs, the odd support characters, and the strong narrative building to a climax.

The film looks great, and the cinematography resembles Hitchcock's colour films of the 1950s and 1960s. English actress, Susan Penhaligon, is superb as the new nurse, who starts to suspect that Patrick is still conscious. Robert Helpmann and Julia Blake are creepy as the arrogant doctor and matron who run the hospital, and Rod Mullinar and Bruce Barry play Jacquard's ex-husband and doctor/boyfriend respectively, who try to help Jacquard discover the truth.

It's a very entertaining, well-made film with just the right amount of suspense to keep you involved until the end.

A bit too long and lacking in polish, but a strong showcase for Richard Franklins directorial style.

[IonicBreezeMachine · 6/10 · 1 November 2021]

Kathie Jacquard (Susan Penhaligon) following a separation from her husband Ed (Rod Mullinar) takes a job at the Roget clinic headed by Dr. Roget (Robert Helpmann). Under the strict and watchful eye of supervisor Matron Cassidy (Julia Blake), Kathie takes care of the patients at the clinic including a comatose man named Patrick (Robert Thompson). As time rolls on, Kathie begins to notice begins to notice Patrick communicating with her by spitting (once for yes, twice for no) and channeling words into her typewriter but only in her presence and refusing to exhibit for anyone else. Patrick's abilities extend to manifestations of telekinesis that wreak havoc on both Kathie's life and the men inside it.

Born in Australia, director Richard Franklin attended University of Southern California alongside the likes of George Lucas, John Carpenter, and Robert Zemeckis. An afficionado of the style and works of Alfred Hitchcock, Franklin had the opportunity to meet his mentor when he arranged a screening of Rope (1948) and became good friends with Hitchcock thereafter. After directing some local Ausie television work, Franklin directed both the low budget sex comedy Eskimo Nell and softcore porno Fantasm which were successful enough though Franklin doesn't consider them "his" films. The success if his low budget high return work enabled him to get support for Patrick which would be the first of a number of collaborations between director Franklin and screenwriter Everett De Roche. The movie was not a success in its native Australia, but did find more success internationally including in the United States and gave Franklin the clout to produce follow up Roadgames as well as secured him the job of directing Psycho II. Patrick is the kind of movie where you can see a director's identity being forged, but with that comes the evitable rough spots that come with an initial debut.

Franklin and De Roche do a good job of establishing mood, character, and atmosphere as a way of compensating for the fact they're working on a tight budget. Susan Penhaligon makes a sympathetic lead with her troubled domestic situation leading to harsh judgments and whispers from the hospital staff as well as the judgmental Matron Cassidy. There's also some strong build up with Patrick played by Robert Helpmann who despite being comatose is intimidating with his eyes wide opened through much of the movie and his "spitting". The gradual reveal of Patrick's abilities is pretty well handled and despite the limited effects work we do get a strong sense of Patrick's strengths and abilities.

What doesn't work as well is the pacing and structure. Apparently the initial length of De Roche's script was a whopping 250 pages (and to give you an idea, general rule is 1 page=1 minute of screentime) and even with Richard Franklin trimming it down and making the film more streamlined it still feels really stretched and padded at its just under two hour runtime. There's a character named Dr. Brian Wright played by Bruce Barry and his existence feels like a pretty extraneous element all things considered, it feels like he's set up as a love interest/ally but he's basically tossed aside at the end of the second act in favor of setting up her separated husband instead, I think the movie also does a disservice by showing the opening scene of Patrick killing his mother and her lover and feel like that maybe would have been better situated being revealed to her in the third act. Patrick's motivations for what he's doing are solid enough, but there's not much building to the big reveal and because Patrick is mute he never really feels like a fully formed antagonist. The Medusa Touch was released the same year as Patrick and also focused on a person with Telekenesis, but we got a greater sense of who Richard Burton's character was in that movie and Burton being a more commanding presence in general made for a richer antagonist.

Patrick despite not landing completely is a strong showcase for the talents of director Richard Franklin and screenwriter Everett De Roche. There's a strong sense of style behind the camera with Franklin trying to emulate the Hitchcokian style, and De Roche creates rich characters and conflicts that do engage the viewer, the only thing holding them back is the "roughness" that comes with the emergence of any talent. While it's not perfect, it is a strong debut for promising talents.

Scariest eyes in the business!!!

[damianphelps · 7/10 · 9 September 2020]

When I first saw this movie it was on late night tv, I was about 10 years old, it scared the crap out of me and those eyes have stayed with me forever! :)

Its very Australian in its look and feel and has a sense of innocence or simplicity compared to how we live today.

The story is well told, feasible (compared to Elm St and co) and creepy.

But whatever I say is almost irrelevant, its the eyes of Patrick that completely sell this story, they are so bug-ish OMG!!! Lol its THE perfect late night movie.

Prime Ozploitation.

[Hey_Sweden · 7/10 · 25 March 2018]

The cute and appealing Susan Penhaligon ("The Land That Time Forgot") plays Kathy Jacquard, a young woman returning to work as a nurse. She comes to a private hospital where the title character (Robert Thompson, "Thirst") has been in a coma for three years. (He'd murdered his trampy mother and a lover of hers, before lapsing into his current state.) Despite misgivings from her boss (Robert Helpmann, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang") and supervisor (Julia Blake, "X-Men Origins: Wolverine"), she finds herself attached to Patrick, and reaching out to him. Soon it becomes apparent that he CAN sense her presence, and has fallen in love with her. However, he has incredibly powerful psychokinetic powers that constantly manifest themselves in and outside the hospital.

"Patrick" isn't without some flaws, but overall it emerges as an interesting and largely absorbing story with some bonkers moments. Obviously it's done on some sort of budget, keeping special effects to a minimum and mostly concentrating on plot and performance. Since it runs an hour and 53 minutes in its most complete version, it's too drawn out to be totally effective, not always staying on point. Some viewers can describe it as "cheesy" or "tacky", but it does succeed at being creepy often enough to overlook its lesser aspects. One element that stuck in this viewers' head for years is the way that Patrick makes spitting sounds - once for yes, twice for no - when acknowledging Kathy's questions.

Much effectiveness is due to Thompson, in his film debut. He has the hardest job among the cast, having to lie there for most of the films' duration and not react to other actors in the room. He certainly has a look that helps to make him quite memorable.

But the whole cast is fine: Ms. Penhaligon, Mr. Helpmann, Ms. Blake, Rod Mullinar as Kathy's amiable estranged husband Ed, Bruce Barry as inquisitive doctor Brian Wright, Helen Hemingway as Kathy's co-worker Sister Williams, Maria Mercedes as a high strung nurse, Walter Pym as aged and senile Captain Fraser, and Frank Wilson as a detective.

The film further benefits from impressive camera work and capable direction by Hitchcock protege Richard Franklin, who as we all know went on to make the surprisingly worthy first sequel to "Psycho". And it can boast another lovely music score by that great Aussie composer Brian May.

Even if you're not overly impressed with the film in general, you will want to stick it out for THAT ending.

Seven out of 10.

"An EEG will pick up any brain activity, from a fart to a nervous break-down." Really sloooooooooooooow.

[poolandrews · 3/10 · 10 July 2005]

Patrick starts with Patrick (Robert Thompson) himself killing his Mom (Carole Ann-Aylett) & her lover (Paul Young) by throwing an electric fire into their bathtub. Three years later & nurse Kathy Jacquard (Susan Penhaligon) has just separated form her husband Ed (Rod Mullinar) & is looking to get back into nursing after a two year absence. Kathy applies for a job at the 'Roget Clinic' where after a tough interview with Matron Cassidy (Julia Blake) she is given a job by Dr. Roget (Robert Helpmann) himself & the responsibility of looking after the comatose patient in room 15, who just happens to be Patrick. Patrick has been a patient at the Roget Clinic for three years ever since he witnessed his Mother & her lover being killed in an 'accident' according to the police anyway. He never speaks, moves or has any traceable brain activity at all. Kathy quickly befriends Sister Paula Williams (Helen Hemmingway) but Matron Cassidy isn't keen on her. As Kathy talks with Sister Williams in front of Patrick about her personal life & thoughts strange things start to happen. A neurosurgeon named Brian Wright (Bruce Barry) mysteriously almost drowns in his swimming pool after coming on to Kathy, Kathy's flat is vandalised, Kathy's ex Ed burns his hands after making her a casserole, her typewriter starts to write on it's own & Patrick starts to communicate with her by making a spitting noise. Kathy is convinced that Patrick has telepathic powers which he has developed over the three years he has been confined to a hospital bed, Kathy starts to believe that Patrick has discovered a sort of sixth sense apparently. Patrick starts to affect Kathy's personal life & communicates to her that he feels someone is trying to kill him...

This Australian production was directed by Richard Franklin & almost put me in a coma, Patrick isn't really a horror in my opinion it's more of a thriller. The script by Everett De Roche is so slow & uneventful it's untrue, I am not over exaggerating when I say Patrick is one of the dullest films I've seen in ages. It's a shame because the premise & ideas here are good but after over an hour of virtually nothing happening my patience was being tested to the limit. There is a grand total of one death in Patrick after the opening sequence. There are very few characters in Patrick & since their all bland & forgettable they didn't help to maintain my flagging interest, their not developed at all either. We know nothing about Patrick apart from the opening scene & that he spends all day in a bed. We know nothing about Sister Williams who is there just to provide a friend for Kathy to talk to about her feelings & in turn giving director Franklin an easy & lazy way to let us, the viewer, know as well. Matron Cassidy's motives for her disliking of Patrick isn't touched upon more than a sentence about her not liking the air in his room & a speech about medical science prolonging life when it perhaps shouldn't. I could go on & on about how flimsy Patrick's characters are. It also starts to go into Patrick's previous nurse who also suffered in the same way Kathy is but again this is given one sentence & then totally forgotten about. Franklin seems to think showing Patrick telepathically typing on a typewriter is scary & interesting, it isn't mate. There is very little I can comment on as literary nothing happens other than Patrick typing some letters out & an awful lot of dull chit-chat between dull characters. When Patrick eventually starts to use his powers for something that resembles menace the film ends. I'm almost falling asleep just thinking about it! There is no blood or gore whatsoever & a grand total of one burned corpse. The acting is average at best but no-one embarrasses themselves too much. Director Franklin manages to create a few stylish sequences, the opening pre-credits scene in particular, but they are all but lost amongst the mountain of boring, flat, pointless & unimaginative time wasting nonsense that comprise most of Patrick's near 110 minute running time. Patrick would have been a lot better if it had a much tighter pace & a couple of murders, I mean someone being trapped in a lift for a few days just isn't that scary or memorable is it? Basically just think of Patrick as the worst Carrie (1976) rip-off you can imagine & your not far off the mark. So I'll give it a couple of stars because the central idea is good & one because generally speaking it's competently made throughout with one or two nice touches here & there. I still pretty much hated it though & I really am falling asleep just thinking about it...

Incel in a coma with telekinetic powers takes his time tormenting folks

[Stay_away_from_the_Metropol · 6/10 · 20 August 2020]

I decided to check this out after enjoying the Goblin music score for years now. However, when the opening credits rolled, it said "Music by Brian May". His score was quite good as well - but, in most cases, no one catch match the exquisiteness of a Goblin score.

Things I enjoyed: the cinematography was very tasteful, lead actress Susan Penhaligon was very endearing, adorable, and carried the movie as well as anyone could, Patrick looked exactly like my friend Sam Brown from The Whitest Kids U Know.

Things I didn't like that much: this film is a pretty slow-burner. If it had a satisfying finale it could have felt like the pace served a purpose, but the final act was rather lackluster in my opinion. I'd say the most intriguing part of the film was around one hour in - it's kind of odd how the final half hour seems to become less intense than the mid-section. The main protagonist was the only character who felt realistic or well written, there were some pretty heavy plot holes, a lot of the implied events are performed in a cheap-feeling, quick-cut, unsellable manner, a lot of the dialogue is long-winded, the film feels a bit too repetitive to be almost 2 hours long.

The movie does have a bit of it's own flair but for the most part it's flaws outweigh it's strengths. This was clearly made as a response to the success of Carrie, and, unfortunately comparing it to that masterpiece is certainly not doing it any favors. It's also kind of weird that it's an Australian film but almost no one in the movie has an Australian accent aside from maybe the main gal's boyfriend? I dunno - the movie was kind of good - I felt intrigued sometimes while watching it - not required viewing though IMO.

Okay Aussie horror opus

[Woodyanders · 5/10 · 15 October 2012]

Young Patrick (a creepy mute portrayal by Robert Thompson, who never blinks or says a single word throughout the whole movie) goes into a comatose state after murdering his mother and her lover. Pretty young nurse Kathy Jacquard (a fine and appealing performance by fetching brunette Susan Penhaligon) senses that Patrick is somehow still sentient and hence trying to communicate with her. Meanwhile, various folks around Patrick start dying in mysterious ways. Director Richard Franklin does a commendable job of firmly grounding the fantastic premise in a thoroughly plausible pedestrian everyday reality, but crucially fails to generate any much-needed suspense, momentum, and spooky atmosphere. Moreover, Everett De Roche's blah script gets bogged down in a numbing excess of dull chitchat that slows the erratic pace to a sluggish crawl and allows the shaky narrative to ramble all over the place. The bloated 112 minute running time further compounds the severity of the general tedium. Fortunately, the competent acting by the sturdy cast keeps the picture watchable: Penhaligon makes for a strong and sympathetic lead, with praiseworthy support from Rod Mullinar as Kathy's estranged husband Ed, Bruce Barry as charming and handsome neurosurgeon Brian Wright, Robert Helpmann as the coldly pragmatic Dr. Roget, Julia Blake as Kathy's stern superior Matron Cassidy, and Helen Hemingway as the friendly Sister Williams. Brian May's lush and spare orchestral score manages to be effectively chilling without ever becoming too overbearing or obtrusive. Don McAlpine's crisp cinematography boasts several clever and impressive visual flourishes. However, this movie is too flatly done and talky to pass muster as anything more than a decent time-waster.

An under-rated Aussie chiller.

[BA_Harrison · 8/10 · 19 February 2008]

Following the success of Brian De Palma's 'Carrie' in 1976, movies featuring psycho-kinetics became all the rage. In 1978, Hollywood cashed in with 'The Fury' (also by De Palma) and the Richard Burton vehicle 'The Medusa Touch'; US TV gave us 'The Initiation of Sarah'; and even Disney got in on the act with 'Return from Witch Mountain'. Meanwhile, in Australia, director Richard Franklin joined in the craze with his creepy, offbeat chiller 'Patrick'.

Susan Penhaligon stars as Kathy Jacquard, a pretty nurse who discovers that her new comatose patient Patrick (Robert Thompson) is not only capable of communicating via psychokinesis (and the occasional bit of spitting!), but is also able to kill. As Patrick gradually begins to fall for Kathy, any other man hoping to get close to her automatically becomes a target of his awesome mental powers.

To feature a malign character who spends 99.9% of the film's running time absolutely motionless, staring into space, is an unusual, but very effective idea, and one that director Franklin cleverly uses to crank up the tension: his audience know damn well that Patrick will move at some point in the film, but have absolutely no idea when it will occur (I jumped twice: first, when Patrick unexpectedly spits at his nurse, and... well... you'll definitely know the other moment when it happens).

There are those who may find the slow-burn approach of this movie a little laborious, but I loved its leisurely approach—particularly as it gave me time to fully appreciate the movie's more bizarre moments: Kathy's job interview, during which the hospital's Matron mentions that such a job attracts certain 'types' (lesbians, scoptophiliacs, necrophiliacs, zoophiliacs and enema specialists!!); two scenes in which frogs don't do so well (one has his brain smushed with a needle and another is eaten by a doctor); Kathy attempting to prove that Patrick can feel by giving him a little 'wrist action'; and repeated appearances by Patrick's 'neighbour', a crazy old man who wets himself.

7.5 out of 10, rounded up to 8 for IMDb.

The Origin Of Ozploitation.

[meddlecore · 7/10 · 2 November 2021]

After killing his overly promiscuous parents, a young man- named Patrick- has ended up in an institution for the criminally insane...where he lies comatose.

Although, despite becoming paralyzed, and losing all 5 of his senses...it is quite evident that he has not lost his sentience.

And even developed a sixth sense.

Most of the nurses think he's the epitome of evil, and treat him with disdain...as flowers won't grow in his presence.

That is, until a young nurse is assigned to his care, and shows him actual compassion.

He seems to have taken a liking to her.

One might even say...he has become obsessed.

Because he shows her just what he can do...but, he wants her to keep it a secret.

First, he communicates with her by spitting.

One for yes, and two for no.

But he can also use his powers to manipulate objects...kind of like a poltergeist.

Thus, he can manipulate the typewriter, to speak to her, as well.

And it seems he's ready, willing and able to use these abilities to target anyone who takes a shining to his new favourite nurse.

For he has not lost his lust to kill...

Because, when one of the doctor's tries to "cure" him with electroshock therapy...he starts to get angry...thinking that they are trying to kill him.

Forcing him to kill one of the nurses, and trap the estranged husband of his nurse in an elevator.

Eventually, he gives the young nurse an ultimatum...to euthanize him, or risk letting her husband die.

So, obviously, she chooses to inject him.

Only for Patrick uses his powers to try and make her inject herself instead.

This decision, however, allows her husband to escape.

And he saves her at the last second.

Inevitably, they go through with euthanizing Patrick.

But is he really dead?

Can he even truly be killed?

Made in Australia, this is the film that would bring Ozploitation to the world.

And it would be remade again in 2013, as Patrick: Evil Awakens.

Which is kind of stupid, because they totally left room for it to be followed up with a sequel.

A wasted oppourtunity, for sure.

But still a great flick.

6.5 out of 10.

Patrick (1978)

[Was-it-All-a-Dream · 5/10 · 2 May 2009]

Patrick is one of a rare breed- the psychological horror film. It's said that this was meant as a tribute to Richard Franklin's favorite director, Alfred Hitchcock. Some of Hitchcock's movies were boring to me personally, but none of them were as absurd as this. Partly focusing on the suspense of the plot, but mainly meant to be an interesting character study, this is a misguided and confused film. I can't be the only person on Earth who went into this movie with one expectation from the characters, only to find things spin around at their own whim.

Patrick is about a young man who kills people with his psychic abilities. Not many though, because this wasn't intended to be a brutal slasher film with creative deaths. It's more about the fate of the victims in relationship to their killer. Patrick is an ominous figure who is unbelievably creepy (credit the movie there) and takes advantage of his power to move objects, causing major chaos in many ways. That makes him an antagonist. Yet, the film will then switch its' loyalty and try and paint Patrick as a victim. That the people he is attacking in the last 35-40 minutes of the film are only people who are a threat to him, physically. I can't be the only person who is annoyed by that.

Another example is the character of Matron Cassidy. She performs her own patented "shock test" on Kathy by listing types of social outcasts whom she claims are attracted to working in a hospital. The moment she added "lesbians" to her list of evil or mentally sick people, I had no sympathy for her and she was on my hate list. Another antagonist in the movie. She's a troubled woman, no doubt in my mind. Then halfway through the movie, suddenly she challenges Kathy on the subject of euthanasia. A subject I strongly support because I believe people are the only "God" we'll ever see during our time on Earth. Who agrees with me? The homophobic Matron agrees with me, suddenly Kathy is the religious one with the foolish point of view (in my mind).

Is there any explanation for this film's obsession with lying about characters? Why does it make one statement about a person, then completely backtrack over it like it can be easily erased? It's not as though they hid something. What it is is that they switched it. That's basically hypocrisy. This is a pointless, infuriating film. Maybe there was a point to it that I missed. Somewhere between Patrick's erection being a point of interest to the filmmakers, and his jealousy over his nurses and their lovers first being something spiteful, then turning into something supposedly beautiful and poetic by the final scene. If you can figure this out, best of luck to you!

Looking at the film on a much more superficial level, it's a good piece of art. The music score is very pretty. The cast is incredible, everyone does a marvelous job. Susan Penhaligon is an insanely beautiful woman, with (excluding Patrick) amazing taste in men. Julia Blake as Matron Cassidy turns in an astounding performance, one of the reasons I really hated her was how powerful she was. Very intimidating, a good choice to play an authoritative character. Visually, the film is very attractive. It takes place in what I have to assume is the late spring into early summer. Cool winds, breezes, warm locations. My favorite scene of the film involves an incredibly awesome strobe effect (can never have too much of that in movies). Looking at it in a more strict capacity- it's not dignified enough as a drama. It's not dangerous enough as a horror film. It's too crude and frankly, too lame to be legitimately psychological. It's not compelling. Plenty suggestive. But not compelling.

In many ways, this movie is a perfect enigma. So much of it doesn't make sense. My advice: just don't expect or assume anything. Play it by ear. I enjoyed certain scenes, others fascinated me (only to have the movie twist the characters and anger me in doing that). Some scenes were utterly laughable, unintentionally. One outright sent a chill down my spine.