FRIGHTMARE REVIEWED

"Frightmare" is Pete Walker's(House of Whipcord) 1974 cult favorite out of the UK. In short, the story goes like this... In 1957 Edmund and Dorothy Yates are found guilty of murder and acts of cannibalism. The courts rule that they are both insane, and they are committed to an asylum until they are deemed completely rehabilitated by the state, and fit to return to society. Flash forward roughly fifteen years, and the couple is living in an isolated farm house in the English countryside. Edmund finds himself earning a living as a chauffeur, while Dorothy is earning her keep by doing tarot readings which seemingly were only advertised to young, lonely drifters. It turns out that the lonely drifters with no family or friends to look for them should they go missing, are the perfect customers for sweet old Dorothy who just can't curb her appetite for human brains. The couple has a daughter named Jackie who has been helping dear Mum with her problem by making weekly deliveries of fresh flesh. Jackie is also taking care of her sister Debbie who as it turns out, is more than a handful. It seems little Debbie might have picked up a few bad habits from her Momma.

Frightmare has been called "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" of the UK. I would say if you are going into this film expecting that, you might be a bit disappointed. Having said that, I don't think it's a fair comparison really. There are some central themes that are similar for sure, but the executions are very different.

Frightmare is a refreshing watch when compared to a lot of films made in recent years. Considering that the film is about a cannibalistic matriarch who eats the brains of people looking for psychic advisory, it's a pretty damn classy film. The acting is really great for a low budget horror picture. All four family members are completely convincing in their roles, especially Sheila Keith as Dorothy Yates. She reminded me of a cross between Mrs. Doubtfire and Hannibal Lecter; and I mean that in the best way possible. Rupert Davies was also very good as Edmund, the extremely sympathetic and conflicted husband, who loves his wife so much that he'll help her ditch the bodies after her snacking, but he is really trying all that he can to help her go cold turkey on the brains. Both daughters are also played very well by Deborah Fairfax and Kim Butcher. Kim Butcher as Debbie, is so convincingly cold in a Manson girl kind of way. The juxtaposition of the young, sweet, innocent girl, to the cold and ruthless acts she commits, is more frightening to me than seeing an inbred mutant chasing hikers around the woods for two hours(not that I'm saying there isn't a place for that kind of greatness too).

The film isn't overly bloody, but it doesn't need to be for the tone it successfully establishes. When the gore is shown, it's very effective. When the gore is implied, it is also very effective. When a power drill is inching closely to someone's forehead, we can all imagine that the end result is not going to be pretty.

Bottom line:

While some films are built for nothing more than serving up some heavy helpings of gore, Frightmare has a little bit more going for it. It's bloody when it needs to be, the story while not wholly unique, is really quite engaging; and it's believably acted. If you are looking for a cool little slice of 70's horror pie, then this cult gem from Pete Walker should fill the bill!

3.5 out of 5