Frightmare (1975)

One of Pete Walkers' crowning achievements in horror & exploitation (the other being "House of Whipcord"), the unrelentingly sinister "Frightmare" is ultimately a depressing tale of madness crossing generations. It's extremely well acted, particularly by Walkers' favourite actress, the late, great Sheila Keith. A palpable atmosphere hangs over many scenes; this is one film that's certain to creep out some viewers. Of course, like many films, it's always had its detractors. It was excoriated during its release, which only added to its legendary status among some fans of British horror. Even today, there's not much of it that dates. It still has the power to chill.Keith stars as Dorothy Yates, convicted of murder, declared insane and sent to a mental hospital for 15 years. Finally, she and her husband Edmund (Rupert Davies) are released, having convinced authorities that they have regained their sanity. The truth, however, is that nothing has changed. Edmunds' daughter Jackie (Deborah Fairfax) has tried to shield the truth from the now teenaged girl, Debbie (Kim Butcher) that Edmund and Dorothy had together. But things start unravelling when Dorothy's psychoses can no longer be hidden - for one thing, she suffers from "pathological cannibalism" - and young Debbie shows signs of a psychotic nature.Keith has a powerful presence. One can't help but keep their eyes on her in this film, and she's the main reason to watch it. However, that's not to diminish the work by Davies as the loving husband who stands by his wife's side no matter what she does. The gorgeous Fairfax and pretty Butcher lead a strong supporting cast that also includes Paul Greenwood as Graham, Jackie's boyfriend, and special guest stars Leo Genn as Dr. Lytell and Gerald Flood as Matthew Laurence. Peter Jessop's lighting is very good throughout at setting the mood and keeping the viewer on edge. Stanley Myers' music score is likewise full of foreboding and dread. As part of the plot (screenplay by Walkers' frequent collaborator David McGillivray, based on a story idea by Walker) revolves around Dorothy working as a fortune teller, you can't help but get the chills when that death card keeps being selected, and want to scream at any and all potential victims to get the hell out of there.All in all, "Frightmare" is well worth your time if you have an interest in cult horror titles from decades past.Eight out of 10.

Pete Walker's 'Frightmare' is a gloriously gory mix of psychopathic and cannibalistic killings and pretty English cottages, all topped with all those naff '70's fashions, haircuts and British cars.Walker regular Sheila Keith is the woman sent to an asylum fifteen years ago, along with her abetting husband. He's helpless when her cravings come back and assumed cured, she now reads tarot cards. Their daughter gets romantically involved with a young psychiatrist and when her younger, adopted sister starts going off the rails, the young doctor naturally wants to help.She's actually helping find feeding matter - and their brains - for her step mother. And step mother uses an array of everyday tools and appliances to get to her subjects' juicy bits. Electric drills, pitchforks, you name it. There's plenty of reasonable looking blood at the right times and some great make up effects of everyday folk with half their heads missing.Now, nearly forty years on it's more a chiller than a screamer but very effective nonetheless and certainly one of the better Brit horror flicks I've seen. I saw it on The Horror channel.

"Frightmare" is the atmospheric and creepy story of an elderly couple who spent several years in a mental institution for cannibalistic murders, but are recently released. The couple has two daughters, the oldest knows the whereabouts of her parents and goes to their house several times a week to bring mysterious "packages" to the mother, but the youngest daughter "supposedly" believes that the parents died in a car crash. However, the younger daughter starts to exhibit behavior similar to her mothers... Pete Walker regular Sheila Keith really made this movie. She is perfectly cast as the creepy woman who appears to be up to her cannibalistic old tricks again. She is very intense and a great scary actress. The film also wins because of its bleak and dreary atmosphere, and manages to instill a sense of eeriness and unease throughout. If you happen to run into this film, give it a try!Not Rated: contains Violence and GoreGrade: B-

In 1957 Dorothy and Edmund Yates were put in a mental hospital:she for acts of vicious murder and cannibalism and he for covering up her crimes.Fifteen years later they are released.The youngest daughter Debbie begins to explore crimes committed by mother and becomes blood crazy...Delightfully morbid British psycho flick with truly haunting central performance by Sheila Keith.The direction by Pete Walker is solid and there are some shocking moments including the scene of using power drill on the head of a corpse.The pacing is quite uneven and "Frightmare" is not as disturbing as "House of the Mortal Sin",but if you want to see an oppressive shocker give this slice of British butchery a look.8 out of 10.