Synopsis: A serial murderer/rapist is stalking women in London. When Richard Blaney’s ex-wife turns up as the latest victim, he becomes the police’s top suspect. While trying to evade the police, Blaney must find the true killer to prove his innocence.
My take: This often overlooked gem was Hitchcock’s final horror movie. It is very entertaining, probably my 3rd favorite Hitchcock overall. This strays from typical Hitchcock in that it has notably more adult content than any of his other films (it was actually rated X in England when it was released). But, in true Hitchcock style, even the most graphic scenes (rape, disposal of corpses) are filled with clever black humor. It has all the elements of great Hitchcock – the wrongly accused man, a great blend of action/suspense/terror, and some really wonderful camera work/directing. I think this edgier stuff is what Hitchcock films would have been like if he had lived longer.
Favorite scene: The killer loses his tie pin and has to go back to the scene of his last murder to retrieve it. His struggle with the corpse (rigor mortis has set in) is disturbing and hilarious.
4 out of 4 Zombie Faces
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