No Place to Hide (1981 TV Movie) User Reviews

No Place to Hide: Interesting enough thriller

[Platypuschow · 5/10 · 21 March 2018]

I went in expecting a horror again, my bad!

This early 80's thriller is a passable affair and though it's fairly well written it lacks in too many places to truly be memorable.

No Place to Hide tells the story of a girl who repeatedly see's a balaclava and dark glasses wearing man who seems to be stalking her. However is he real? Or is he as everyone around her believes, a figment of her fragile mind?

The film actually has a few good ideas and though can be accused of a lot of things it can't be accused of being predictible as I certainly didn't see the finale coming.

It suffers badly from many tropes of its time but I can confidently say that this isn't a bad film, it's just a bit uninspired and tedious.

The Good:

Some good twists

Well written

The Bad:

Quite generic

Things I Learnt From This Movie:

Jason, Michael, Freddy, Pinhead and even Leprechaun have nothing to fear from our balaclava wearing friend, there will be no sequel here

Very good made for TV horror flick

[meathookcinema · 7/10 · 24 October 2021]

Amy leaves her art class late at night and goes to her car. However, she then finds a man dressed all in black resplendent with a black balaclava and shades waiting for her in her backseat. She gets away but isn't taken seriously by the police when she goes to report the incident. Apparently the same man has been following her on previous occasions but has always gotten away. The police think she is a crank and that this mysterious man who is threatening and stalking her is a figment of her imagination.

Soon afterwards she receives a funeral wreath from the same man. Realising that this is the first tangible piece of evidence that there is that in fact someone stalking her, she goes with her stepmother to the florists to ask who placed the order and what he looked like. The florist is amused as he says that it was her, Amy who walked in and placed the order just hours earlier.

Is Amy mad? Or is there really a man stalking and threatening to kill her?

No Place To Hide is another example of an excellent made for TV horror movie. Tense, suspenseful and very well written not to mention perfectly acted.

In fact it has so many twists and turns that it would make a great episode of either Tales of the Unexpected or Thriller.

Soon Amy, Soon

[sol-kay · 6/10 · 27 February 2007]

**SPOILERS** Tense and heart-stopping made for TV thriller that keeps you guessing to what exactly is terrorizing young Amy Manning,Kathleen Beller, who's being driven to the point of insanity and suicide by this black clad psycho that only Amy, and one one else, seems to notice.

Being stalked for what seems like weeks the local police have all but given up on Amys claims of being shadowed and in one case almost kidnapped. Amy's step-mother Adele, Mariette Hartley, feels after taking over Amy's problems with police Sergent Newman, Sandy McPeak, that the best thing for her step-daughters peace of mind and sanity is for her to see her personal psychologist a Doctor Cliff Letterman, Keir Dullea. Letterman at once gets to the root of Amy's psychosis by finding out that her father drowned when he was out at the Manning cabin in the woods. This convinces not only Letterman but Amy that her guilt of not being around to save her dad is the reason that she subconsciously conjured up this man in black bogeyman.

"No Place to Hide" has a number of twists and turns that involve Amy's inheritance once she turns 21 that would be in the millions of dollars. There are a number of people who want Amy not to live long enough to collect but what makes it so hard to figure out which one they are is that those who will benefit from Amy's demise consists of almost the entire cast of the movie.

The psycho stalker angle of the movie is dispelled almost as soon has were introduced to him as he never seems to be able ever get his hands on Amy no matter how hard he tries even when he's as little as inches away from her. It becomes very obviously that he's trying to drive her insane and into a mental institution not murder her. We later realize that Amy's fathers accident was anything but that and whoever was responsible for Mr. Mannings death is also responsible for what's been happening to Amy all throughout the movie. The string that ties all that together is the money that Mr. Manning left to his daughter Amy.

Shocking back from the dead ending that hits you like a lightning bolt out of a clear blue and sunny sky will leave you and those who try to do in Amy in state of total paralysis. Amy's would be killers find out the hard way that not only does crime not pay, at least in the movies, but like playing with matches it can end up giving you a very nasty burn.

This movie is scary and full of twists!

[Roddy-15 · 21 August 1999]

I saw this movie by mistake on a Saturday morning. Before I knew it, I couldn't stop watching it.

Hard to believe this is only a made-for-television movie. It was scarier than many of the horror movies I have seen in theaters.

The movie begins when an art student named Amy leaves her university and soon discovers that there is a man wearing a ski-mask on the back of her car. Soon you will find out Amy has seen this man before but no one believes she has.

The movie has a simple plot line: Amy is being stalked by a psychopath. But the simple plot has more twists than you can imagine.

Made for TV? Made for morons more like it..

[anxietyresister · 2/10 · 30 August 2007]

Doncha just love writing reviews of crappy movies? Certainly beats watching them. Anyhoo, this little beaut is about a girl who THINKS she is being stalked by a crazed psychopath who always leaves messages that he'll 'see her soon', but she eventually reaches the conclusion that these are just delusions of the physical manifestation of the guilt she feels over her father's death. Sound complicated? Well, it isn't, and as every creaky plot device is utilised and the ominous music starts playing you realise there isn't a single reason why this movie should have been made. Fancy taking bets that the heroine will end up in an abandoned log cabin by herself, even though she is in fear of her life? And, what say we get a series of incredibly lame twists near the end in a vain attempt to inject some life into this dull as ditchwater screenplay? Checkmate.

You can forget about any decent gore or T&A action either. You've got about as much chance of finding a polar bear in the Sahara than encountering anything controversial in a made for TV film. I could also bring up the horrible quality of the print, or the fact that they couldn't even seem to find an actress who could SCREAM convincingly, but alongside the myriad of other faults, these simply pale into insignificance. For being a complete waste of time, and not even getting the basics right in being a suspense thriller I can't give this more than 2/10. Fortunately, unlike poor old Ms Keeler you DO have A Place To Hide. It's called another channel, so why not take refuge there rather than bore yourself to tears with crap like this?

A Very Watchable Suspense-Fest!

[Noirdame79 · 9/10 · 31 July 2005]

One dreary afternoon a few years ago, I happened to be flipping channels when this movie aired on A&E, and I was glued to it the entire running time. It is quite dated, to be sure, but the thrills come from actual suspense and some subtle hints, which make more graphic TV movies more obvious.

Kathleen Beller is exceptional as Amy, the heroine, who is menaced by a stranger in a ski mask. The problem is, no one believes her, and her stepmother Adele (a masterful Mariette Hartley) begins to think that her stepdaughter is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Amy is seeing a psychiatrist, portrayed by Keir Dullea, who thinks her father's tragic death may be the cause of any hallucinations Amy may be having. Twists and turns abound as Amy begins to wonder if she really is losing her mind, or is the stalker flesh and blood real? Gary Graham does an excellent job portraying her mysterious love interest, David. Let's just say that things are not what they seem, and we have an array of possible suspects. A girl can't trust anyone anymore! With her large, beautifully haunted eyes, Beller is perfectly cast as the terrorized young artist/heiress, and she gave an equally excellent performance as a rape victim in the TV movie "Are You In The House Alone?" (1978). Hartley's portrayal is superbly mastered with conflict. Dullea, in one of his many subtly creepy turns, fits the bill, while Graham embodies his elusively seductive character expertly.

Don't miss it if it airs on TV again, and a DVD release should be in consideration!

OK, I give up!

[Harrebu · 5/10 · 25 August 1999]

This bizarre murder conspiracy film, with its twists and turns, somehow managed to capture my attention for two hours one morning on TV. I still don't know exactly what happened, probably because all the male characters have the same hair cut and are impossible to keep straight in one's head. This film is brain candy, nothing more, though an agonizing piece at that.

Excellent suspense TV movie

[andyechevarria · 10/10 · 16 December 2015]

I found this movie highly entertaining. It succeeds on many levels: The acting is superb, the suspense tight, and even the camera work is above par. It's a quiet film that is very easy to watch, with twists and turns aplenty. It's unfortunate for us movie aficionados--especially of the thriller genre--that we no longer have access once a week to these gems that appeared on TV and were well watched. This work took me back to a time when watching movies was a true pleasure. The only negative was the convoluted plot that's revealed as we reach the story's conclusion, but that can be easily forgiven as the heart of the plot of the movie more than makes up for it. One of the best TV movies I've seen, and viewers of good suspense movies won't be disappointed. I rate this film a well- deserved 10.

Surprisingly good

[blanche-2 · 8/10 · 21 December 2006]

Kathleen Beller made a couple of very good suspensers back in the '80s. This was one - also known as "Soon, Amy, Soon" (at least I think so) - I saw this when it first aired and just caught part of it again recently. It's great fun, about a young heiress being stalked by a man in a ski mask. However, he never seems to be around when she tells someone about it, so everyone comes to the conclusion that she's delusional. This includes her stepmother (Mariette Hartley) and her psychiatrist (Keir Dullea).

There are a couple of neat twists in this, and the viewer will remain interested throughout thanks to the good script and the fast-paced direction by John Llewellyn Moxey, an old pro.

"No Place to Hide" is a great flick to see some cold wintry evening - one often sits down to watch a suspense or mystery movie only to be disappointed - you won't be this time.

Wonderful!

[liderc · 10/10 · 9 December 1999]

This thriller really captures you! The main actress (Kathleen Beller) is very good and gives depth to her character, as does Mariette Hartley, who portrais the breakdown of her character well. The music does one of the main jobs to create the strange athmosphere of mystery one can't escape from.

The things you do in Calculus

[amanda-rude · 9/10 · 2 February 2007]

I saw this movie in my Calc class (don't ask why). We'd only watch a few seconds at a time before my teacher would turn it off. The whole class would practically beg "Let's watch Amy! Let's watch Amy!" We were hooked! It took us over a semester but we finally finished the movie. Can you say trippy? Wow, it was one of the most twisted thrillers I have ever seen, and I've seen some pretty freaky stuff.

For those of you who haven't seen this movie, I will try not to spoil it for you. Basically, Amy is an art student who is plagued by apparitions of a man dressed in black with dark sunglasses. When Amy goes to the police for help, the sergeant ignores her and makes references to previous incidents when she thought someone was following her and it turned out to be a misunderstanding.

Well, she goes to see a friend of her stepmother's, who happens to be a psychologist. He tells her that this man might be a projection of the guilt she feels at not being with her father when he died. Hence, Amy goes up to the cabin where her father died in hopes of ridding herself of her demons.

However, Amy encounters the stranger again and this time, meets her end...or does she? Her stepmother, believing that Amy is dead, starts to experience supernatural events that lead her to think Amy is haunting her from the grave.

I think I've spoiled enough. You'll have to watch it for yourself if you want to know what happens next.

MUST SEE mystery thriller!

[skb815k · 10/10 · 29 September 2001]

I saw this movie when it was brand new in 1981. I have not run across it since, but I still remember it. That's what a great movie this is. When I see Kathleen Beller in anything else, I think of this movie. I remember how scary and thrilling it was, with plenty of twists. It's 100% my kind of mystery, and I wish it would be shown on tv again.

Well-made suspense thriller

[fredh30 · 10/10 · 8 December 2009]

Amy, Kathleen Beller,is being stalked by a creepy man in a black ski mask with dark sunglasses.(I found the scene where he follows her around the school halls after class,to be very scary.)She tries to convince everyone around her that he's real,but to no avail.(Mariette Hartley is fabulous as the step-mom.)At her psychiatrist's suggestion, she goes up to the family cabin,only to be further terrorized.The stranger in black causes her to faint and then dumps her in the lake.She comes back from the "dead" to give her nemeses some of their own medicine.The line from her step-mom is really chilling,"I'll tell you why,for the money."Great movie from start to end.I wish they could have made a sequel.

Excellent Psychological Thriller!

[ric-noell · 8/10 · 5 September 2004]

Strong performances by both Kathleen Beller and Mariette Hartley made this such a compelling movie to watch, that you can't break away from it, even though you pretty much know how it's going to turn out.

Of all Mariette Hartley's movies, I think this was probably her best. Her portrayal of the conflicted stepmother was so completely credible, she should have received some sort of recognition for it.

Likewise, Kathleen Beller was utterly convincing as a teen coming to grips with the loss of her father while feeling that she's losing her mind. She was good in several other TV movies in the late 70s and early 80s, but this role was a shining character performance.

The fear, anguish and overall pathos of both characters makes this a must-see for any fan of good thriller fiction.

A killer on the loose?

[mrkevstar · 3 August 2003]

This made for tv gem is just right for watching when you're stuck at home on a rainy night. Just you, the cat (or to be fair dog!) and a big bowl of popcorn. Kathleen Beller stars as a beautiful young artist who tries in vain to convince anyone who will listen that she is being stalked by an unknown madman...or is she? Could it be that the death of dear old dad has caused poor Amy to imagine it all? Is she deliberately engaging those around her in a childish attention-getting prank? A sympathetic mother, a probing doctor and new boyfriend all try to make sense of things before the killer, real or imagined catches up to her. This above average tv flick is well worth the 90 minutes. Mariette Hartley and Gary Graham along with a strong supporting cast help make this 90 minutes well worth it. Sit back and enjoy!

Great TV movie!

[BandSAboutMovies · 8/10 · 26 April 2021]

John Llewellyn Moxey will never let you down. The man knew how to make TV movies filled with menace and dread. Take a look at his record of success - The House That Would Not Die, The Last Child, A Taste of Evil, The Night Stalker, Home for the Holidays, Where Have All the People Gone?, Nightmare In Badham County, Killjoy, Desire the Vampire - and see a group full of proven suspense winners.

Really, Moxley is making a giallo here. Stick with me.

First, just take a look at the VHS cover art for how this was sold overseas* as Soon, Amy, Soon.

Now let me let you in on the plot: After leaving class, 20-year-old art student named Amy Manning (Kathleen Beller, who is nearly the Edwige Fenech of 70s and 80s TV movies about young girls in trouble with roles in this, Are You in the House Alone? And Deadly Messages; she's also married to Thomas Dolby, a fact that amuses me beyond belief) gets in her car and is menaced by a masked, leather-gloved and knife-wielding maniac who whispers, "Soon, Amy. Soon."

This is not the first time this has happened and the cops refuse to help her any longer. Only her stepmother Adele (Mariette Hartley) believes her and urges her to visit psychiatrist Dr. Letterman (Keir Dullea, who knows a thing or two about American - err, Canadian - giallo-esque films thanks to Black Christmas).

Could Amy's issues be daddy-related? After all, he drowned on a trip she was supposed to go on, leaving her in the care of her stepmother. Or is there really a killer coming after her? After all, he keeps showing up every time she's alone. And he's sent her flowers. Or maybe she ordered them herself!

This film understands that not all giallo is offing gorgeous female characters, but also the gaslighting that comes with driving the central character to explore her psychosis. And just how does that hunky new man (Gary Graham from the TV version of Alien Nation) fit in?

Originally airing on March 4, 1981 on CBS, this is a film that has so many twists and turns, even switching the main character partway through the film and amping up the psychological trauma. It benefits from a tight script by Jimmy Sangster, who also wrote The Legacy; Scream, Pretty Peggy; Whoever Slew Auntie Roo?; and tons of stuff for Hammer including Dracula Prince of Darkness, The Revenge of Frankenstein; The Mummy and more. He also wrote one of the best non-Bond Eurospy films, Deadlier than the Male.

This is the kind of movie that makes me realize why I love TV movies. A quick plot, some murky darkness, great performances and an amazing last scene reveal that made me literally leap from my seat. You gotta check this on out.

*It was released in Brazil as The Eternal Escape, as Nightmare in France, Without Escape in Spain and Shadow of Evil in Germany.

THAT'S NOT FAIR!

[jimtheven · 1 July 2002]

POSSIBLE SPOILER???? Good acting, nice twists and turns, scary, but as a whodunit cheats badly in a certain way I cannot reveal, but will hint at. At one point someone has a certain facial expression which he or she SHOULD NOT HAVE, given further developments. Now go watch it...

"I Heard Her! I Heard Her Crying!"...

[azathothpwiggins · 14 August 2018]

NO PLACE TO HIDE stars Kathleen Beller as budding artist, Amy Manning, a young woman who says she's being stalked by a mysterious man in black. The frustrated police don't believe her. Her mom, Adele (Mariette Hartley) is supportive, but recommends a doctor she knows, named Cliff Letterman (Keir Dullea).

When the first piece of real evidence is found to support Amy's claims, it only makes matters worse! The stalking continues, unabated, culminating in a mother / daughter weekend in a rustic cabin.

Everyone knows that stalkers don't like the woods, right?

In this made-for-TV movie, nothing is as it appears to be, and no one is above suspicion! A serviceable enough thriller, it's watchable, but saves most of its real thrills for the last 30 minutes...