director:
Roy Boulting
starring: Haley Mills · Hywel Bennett · Billie Whitelaw
· Phyllis Calvert · Frank Finlay · Barry Foster
Martin
Durnley (played by Hywel Bennett), is the brother of Hank, a young man
suffering from "mongolism" [now called Down Syndrome].
Although outwardly healthy with no physical signs of the disease, Martin
is beginning to experience some psychopathic, psychosexual tendencies
supposedly linked to a twisted chromosome inherited from birth. This
disorder, affecting him with waves of violence and lust, manifests as
a split personality for Martin. He becomes the mentally-challenged
'Georgie' after meeting Susan (Haley Mills), a virginal employee at
a toy store. He attempts to seduce her, but Susan is unmoved [and a
bit frightened] by his childish behavior. Instead, the more forceful
'Martin' turns his attentions to Susan's mother, resulting in rape and
murder.
This legendary thriller
was praised [Billie Whitelaw winning the British Academy's Award for
Best Supporting Actress as Susan's mother Joan] and damned [for falsely
linking murderous behavior to Down Syndrome]. Today, the film is considered
one of the very best British thrillers, praised by Quentin Tarantino
who also used some of the soundtrack in Kill Bill.
Haley
Mills, the former Disney 'child' actress (The Parent Trap,
That Darn Cat, et al) and pop singer (Let's
Get Together), used this movie and the previous FAMILY WAY
[both directed by British filmmaker Roy Boulting] to break from her
bubblegum Pollyanna persona. In addition, shortly after
making this movie, she became director Boulting's mistress while he
filed for divorce, eventually marrying him despite their 33 year age
difference. She was the subject of the British gossip pages for years
to follow.
A
British film
in English Language, widescreen format, uncut (112 minutes),
DVD encoded for ALL REGIONS NETS FORMAT; extras include original theatrical
trailer
Nudity,
Rape, Graphic Violence, Sexual Brutality
Recommended For Mature Audiences
Martin
Durnley (played by Hywel Bennett), is the brother of Hank, a young man
suffering from "mongolism" [now called Down Syndrome].
Although outwardly healthy with no physical signs of the disease, Martin
is beginning to experience some psychopathic, psychosexual tendencies
supposedly linked to a twisted chromosome inherited from birth. This
disorder, affecting him with waves of violence and lust, manifests as
a split personality for Martin. He becomes the mentally-challenged
'Georgie' after meeting Susan (Haley Mills), a virginal employee at
a toy store. He attempts to seduce her, but Susan is unmoved [and a
bit frightened] by his childish behavior. Instead, the more forceful
'Martin' turns his attentions to Susan's mother, resulting in rape and
murder.
